Commodore Computers' Largest Users Group s Magazine
October 1984
$2.95
Th£ssh3
\ Commodore 64
I VIC 20
[ PET/CBM
SuperPET
Automating
Home Comfort
The Beginner and
the Disk. Part IV
Accurate time on the C-64
User Port programming and
hardware
n6nojoqjeos
OCfrZI-3
assep ssep
9iuaisiai) pjiqi
ajquiouuB >||hg
s»isod epeueo
• ^ %- »
1 P
* *
H
Laser Art and Technology
56698V21
Introducing the Batteries Included
FAMILY of A*.
Computer Products
sr^fifc.
RpeiCIip
PaperClip "*^S*
The fines I word processor
available for the Commodore 6 1
now oflers the ability lo switch
from a 40 to an 80 column display without
additional hardware. PaperClip' s state of the art design
allows free movement of columns* phrases, sentences or
paragraphs from one location to another within the text
This outstanding addition lo yourCumniodoretvi system is
now available with Spell Pack.
Home Organizer Series
These programs which are available individually, are
Specifically designed modules fur your record keeping
activities. Programs available Include stamps, recipes,
addresses, mailingiisls. personal 4 banking, music and book
libraries photo and home movie collection and household
inventory. Each module is so easy to use even a novice can
achieve professional results.
The Consultant
The Consultant, a database management system, is like a
computerised filing cabinet with a brain. With it you can
design a layout for any kind of information that needs
filing, allowing you various methods fur searching,
sorting and analyzing your data quickly.
BusCard II
An improved version of the
original BusCard which allows you
t o add a n y C « > m m o do re- c o m p a t i b I e disk
dri\e, including hard disk, and virtually any printer
on the market. Just plug it in and you can mix and match
your peripherals without fear of software incompat ability.
B.L-SO
Another plug in module that provides an 80 column* crystal
clear display. Interference is eliminated even with a full
screen of characters, It is readily switched from -10 to 80
column display at anytime and can be used with
Commodore 1701 and 1702 color monitor or any
monochrome video monitors.
Spell Pack
This program contains a dictionary of over 20.000
commonly used words in the English language. Spell Pak
will check each word, in its context, on the entire document
in 2-1 minutes and highlight those not found in the
dictionary. You may I hen correct thespeUing if required or
instantly add the word to the Spell Pack dictionary wilh a
single key command. In this manner the dictionan ina>
be expanded by over 5,000 terms for any technical
or scientific vocabulary vour work mav demand.
*T<*
INCLUDED
'Excellence in Software"
AW 1ZT |4!61 &9S'14£lb.33CI3 Harhur B*d. CcslJ Mesa CA 92636 (7141 979-0920
.— u
520 Fellowship Road, Suite B206; Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (609) 866-1001
-
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ V ^
& & 6 *>'
F # # # <*" #
¥'■&■*
The complete information control
system fbfthe Commodore 64^
^ - & £■
? * v v" <<? # ^
The World Famous Commodore 64.
No matter what your business
or interest with Superbase 64
you have a totally flexible
1 record h system, as big as you
want it, as fast as you need it.
m W * *■? J**
Create your own
formats, enter your records,
change layouts and datafields.
Superbase gives you
unrivalled control in home or J
office, business or
professional practice, with
a range of features
including:
A45* s 58£
3^%4
1 Precision Software (USA), Inc.
Suite 1100
820 Second Avenue
SfiSSS NY 10017
OOl IWiin. (2 , 2 , 4go-i 825
Contents
Laser Projections — A Meeting Of Art
And Technology
Greg Lowry
"Cover story. Technological art, using lasers,
electronics and computers."
Machine — *
Level — G
on page 14
TPUG COMAL Course -Part III
Borge Christensen
"How to create branches in COMAL."
Machine — C/P
Level — I
on page 35
C-64 Thermostat
John Vanderkooy
"Using a home computer to automate home
comfort."
Machine -C/V
Level - 1
on page 55
Bennett's Tutorial — Relative Files
Chris Bennett
"Random-access disk files explained"
Machine — A
Level — I
on page 19
The Beginner And The Disk — Part IV
David A. Hook
Integral Adventure Game
Brad Bjorndahl
"Exploring number theory with the aid of
a computer."
Machine — A
Level - 1
on page 39
SuperPET 6809 Assembler — Part IV
Brad Bjorndahl
The New SYS
Robert Rockefeller
"How to make full use of the Commodore
64's improved SYS command."
Machine — C
Level — A
on page 59
"How to scratch disk files and validate
(collect) disks."
Machine — A
Level -B
on page 22
"Machine language for the 6809 processor."
Machine — S
Level — A
on page 41
.Departments
Books
— Commodore 64 Color Graphics
John Moore
— Defending The Galaxy
Lorien Gabel
Calendar of TPUG Events
Editorial
Games
— Wizard
Malcolm O'Brien
— Trivia
George Shiiinian
— Creative Creator
Rich Westerman
— Kids On Keys
Rich Westerman
Ham Operators
Help!
Product Parade
This And That
Doris Bradley
TPUG Associate Club
Chapter Meetings
TPUG BBS Password
TPUG Contacts
62
The Commodore B-128 Computer
Jim Butterfield
"A description of a little-known computer."
Machine — *
Level — G
on page 26
Using The User Port — Part I
David Williams
"How to program your computer's user
port."
Machine — A
Level — G
on page 45
11
5
60
\
\
1
C-64 M/L Development System
/. Allan Farquharson
"A Product Review."
Machine — C
Level — A
on page 28
Forecasting With The 8032 — Part IV
John Shepherd
"The use of moving averages in forecasting."
Machine — P
Level — I
on page 50
10
8
64
17
12
"
Menu Handling — Part II
John Easton
"Some useful BASIC routines for user-
friendly programs."
Machine — A
Level -I
on page 31
Accurate C-64 Timekeeping
Glen C. Bodie
"Keeping accurate time in C-64 programs."
Machine — C
Level — I
on page 51
A = all, C=C-64, V=VIC 20, P=PET/CBM, S=SuperPET, * = none
G— General, B=Beginner, I = Intermediate, A=Advanced
20
4
TPUG magazine page 3
TPUG
magazme
Publisher
Chris Bennett
Editor
David Williams
Assistant Editor Production Manager
Sandra Waugh
Director of Advertising Sales
Louise Redgers
(416) 782-9804
Production Team
Astrid Kumas
Marya Miller
Monica Bodirsky
Graphic Design
Leslie Smart and Associates, Toronto, Ont.
Printing
Delta Web Graphics, Scarborough, Ont.
Cover Photo
Roberto Portolese Studio, Toronto, Ont.
TPUG Magazine is published 10 times a year by TPUG, Inc. All
rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without written
permission.
TPUG yearly membership fees:
Regular member (attends meetings) —$30.00 Cdn.
Student member {full-time, attends meetings) — $20.00 Cdn.
Associate (Canada) -$20.00 Cdn.
Associate (U.S.) -$20.00 U.S.
-$25.00 Cdn.
Associate (Overseas — sea mail) —$30.00 U.S.
Associate (Overseas — air mail) —$40.00 U.S.
TPUG Inc.,
1912-A Avenue RcLSte. #1
Toronto, Ont.
M5M 4A1
Telephone numbers:
Business Office (416) 782-8900
(416)782-9252
Magazine Office (416)782-1861
Advertising (416)782-9804
VIC 20^ Commodore 64 and SuperPET are trademarks of Commo-
dore Electronics Ltd. PET is a registered trademark of Commodore
Business Machines, Inc. CBM is a registered trademark of Commo-
dore Electronics Ltd.
TPUG Magazine is printed in Canada. Mailed at Toronto, ON and
Buffalo, NY. Send change of address to: TPUG Inc., Address Changes,
1912-A Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON, Canada M5M 4A1
Subscription: 15,500
Newsstand: 10,000
ISSN #0825-0367
Distributed bv:
Compulit Distributors
PO Box 352
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3C 4K6
(604)464-1221
Micron Distributing
409 Queen Street W.
Toronto, ON
M5V 2A5
(416)593-9862
Toll Free Order Desk
1-800-268-9052
Subscription-related inquiries
are handled ONLY by TPUG.
TPUG CONTACTS
TPUG OFFICE
(416)782-8900
(416) 782-9252
Board of Directors
President
Michael Bonnycast
le 416/654-2381
Vice-President
Chris Bennett
416/782-9252
Vice-President
Gord Campbell
416/492-9518
Treasurer
Carol Shevlin
c/o 416/782-8900
Recording Sec.
John Shepherd
416/244-1487
Directors
Bruce Beach
519/925-5376
Rosemary Beasley
416/787-8432
Gary Croft
416/727-8795
Mike Donegan
416/639-0329
John Easton
416/251-1511
Gerry Gold
416/225-8760
Louise Redgers
416/447-4811
TPUG Inc.
Business Mgr.
Chris Bennett
416/782-8900
Asst. Business Mgr
Doris Bradley
416/782-8900
TPUG Magazine
Publisher
Chris Bennett
416/782-1861
Editor
David Williams
416/782-1861
Asst. Editor/Prod. 1
VIgr. Sandra Waugh
416/782-1861
Ad Director
Louise Redgers
416/782-9804
Meeting Co-ordinators
Brampton Chapter
Garry Ledez
c/o 416/782-8900
Central Chapter
Michael Bonnycast
e 416/654-2381
C-64 Chapter
Louise Redgers
416/447-4811
Comal Chapter
Donald Dalley
416/742-3790
Victor Gough
416/677-8840
Communications
David Bradley
416/782-8900
Richard Bradley
416/488-4776
Eastside Chapter
Kelly Grinton
416/839-7284
Joyce Topley
416/683-4898
Forth Chapter
David Williams
416/782-1861
Hardware Chapter
David Williams
416/782-1861
Machine Language
Jim Carswell
416/531-9909
SuperPET Chapter
Gerry Gold
416/225-8760
VIC 20 Chapter
(Doris Bradley)
416/782-8900
Westside Chapter
John Easton
416/251-1511
Al Farquharson
519/442-7000
Librarians
Commodore 64
David Bradley
416/782-8900
Richard Bradley
416/488-4776
French
Baudouin St-Cyr
c/o 416/782-8900
PET
Mike Donegan
416/639-0329
SuperPET
Bill Dutfield
416/224-0642
VIC 20
Chris Covell
416/925-9296
Bulletin Board
Richard Bradley
c/o 416/782-8900
Conference
Doris Bradley
416/782-8900
page 4 TPUG magazine
editorial
I feel it is sad that there are now so many
people who have been born too late to have
experienced the 1960's. Havingspent their
entire sentient lives within the last fifteen
years or so, most of them must see the world
as a far more drab and boring" place than do
we whose memories go back to that magical
decade.
As a science student whose friends included
many energetic and artistically creative
people, I spent much of the '60°s blithely
ignoring the supposed cultural division
between the arts and sciences. In doing so,
I was far from alone. Every Friday night,
some of us would gather in a basement in
London, England, to entertain each other
in every way we could, including with a lot
of intriguing technological devices. We
called ourselves and our venue "The UFO
Club 1 '. Among us were some experimental
rock musicians who were trying out new
electronic techniques of music-making. They
were quite successful. As the "Pink Floyd",
they later achieved world-wide fame. Oth-
ers of us, including myself, were more inter-
ested in kinetic visual effects. Armed,
mainly, with modified slide projectors in
which the slide-holders had been replaced
with various means of producing moving-
coloured patterns, we decorated the walls
of the club with brilliant, swirling, bubbling,
writhing shapes. As the Floyd played, we
endeavoured to provide appropriate visual
accompaniments to their music. Some of
our light-machines were capable of being
"played" as para-musical instruments. A
light-artist would sit with his fingers on a
set of buttons, pressing them in time with
the music. In response, the machine would
vary the projected patterns.
By the standards of the *80's, of course, our
efforts were extremely primitive. Nothing
we did then could come close to matching
the effects which can be produced today.
We projected patterns onto walls. The laser-
artists of 1984 etch their images in stark
clarity into the fabric of the cosmos.
The last sentence is, of course, an exaggera-
tion in a physical sense. But it is totally
inadequate to describe the sensation of
watching a laser display projected upon
the dome of a planetarium. Using equip-
ment which incorporates an astonishing
array of differing technologies, a laser-artist
can transport his audience into a dazzling
new area of experience. Space itself becomes
the arena in which luminous coloured
shapes, some abstract and some realistic,
some crystal-sharp and others tenuously
ghostly, float and whirl in synesthetic har-
mony with the music.
Since the technology involved in laser art
■includes the use of such things as micropro-
cessors and digital memories, it is clearly
an appropriate topic for this magazine. In
this issue, you will find an article by Greg
Lowry, who is the artist responsible for the
laser displays at the McLaughlin Plane-
tarium, in Toronto. His art is shown in
some of our photographs, including those
on the front cover. Yet, in a static, low-
contrast medium such as the pages of a
magazine, it is impossible to convey more
than a faint shadow of what he actually
does. For those readers who have attended
laser shows, his article should illuminate
some of their technical facets. But for those
who have not yet seen this art-form, we
cannot claim that this magazine offers a
worthwhile substitute.
Greg's article should also stimulate the
imagination of readers who want to explore
new uses for their computers. Although
none of the Commodore machines with
which we are all familiar can rival the sophis-
tication of the equipment which Greg uses,
they can be used to control external devices,
including lighting systems. Readers who
feel up to building some hardware, as well
as writing programs, should be able to pro-
duce some very interesting displays of
synchronized music and light. I know this
is a field which I, myself, intend to
explore! TPUG
David Williams
<
<
Q
m FIRST
FAN LETTER.
TPUG magazine page 5
sX^ Finn ity El
For Use With COMMODORE'S VIC-20®* and C-64®*
******AAA4
$149.00
FIDELITY ELECTRONICS
presents the
user selectable column width:
24, 32 or 40 column printout
No additional hardware needed. Connects directly to
VIC-20®* and C-64.®* The "IMPACT PRINTER" "uses
standard adding machine paper roll available most
anywhere.
USES: Program listings, screen copy, reports, mailing
lists, graphics etc.
FEATURiES: Cartridge ribbon, uses standard 2.25" wide
plain paper roll , 24, 32 or 40 column width capability,
upper/lower case characters, graphic character set,
double height printing, and one user denned 6x8 dot
matrix character.
Copyright by Fidelity Electronics. Ltd.
*VIC-20 K and C-64' are trademarks of
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
FIDELITY ELECTRONICS, LTD.
5682 AMBLER DR., MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L4W 2K9
(416)625-7333
PLEASE PRINT
NAME
.PHONE NO-
FULL ADDRESS.
□ CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER FOR $_
□ MASTER CHARGE OR VISA NO
ONTARIO RESIDENTS
_ PLEASE ADD 7% SALES TAX
EXPIRY DATE
-DATE
PRO TERM 64
INTELLIGENT TERMINAL PACKAGE
(C) 1984 E. ANDERSON AND G. FARMANER
40/80 column display
Informative status line
Extensive Auto- Dial/ Auto-logon commands
Upload/Download :
(Punter) (X/ON X/OFF) (.IMG FILES)
Ram Buffer options
Complete Disk support, DOS commands,
dual drive, or two single drives
Complete Printer support
Transparent stream to Printer
Programmable Function Keys
Remote-terminal modes, (Mini BBS),
(Visual phone answer)
Supports VT/52 and Televideo 910/920
terminal emulations
ABACUS BOOKS
THE ANATOMY OF THE 1541 DRIVE
THE ANATOMY OF THE 6 4
MACHINE LANGUAGE BOOK OF THE 64
TRICKS AND TIPS ON THE 6 4
$24.95 each
Write for our FREE catalog.
disk $46.95
Suite 210. 5950 C6te des Nelges, Montreal, Quebec H3S 1Z6
Money Order, Check, Dealer and distributor inquiries invited.
page 6 TPUG magazine
THIS & THAT
Doris Bradley
Assistant Business Manager
MARCA Conference
July 28th and 29th found me in Hershey,
Pennsylvania, attending the First Annual
Commodore Users' Conference and Com-
puter Show of the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Commodore Association. Hats off to the
co-ordinating committee which put together
this successful combination of speakers and
dealer display. Congratulations especially
to Mindy Skelton, who handled registration.
As the one who co-ordinated registration
for TPUG's Third Annual Conference this
May, I can fully appreciate all the work
that she did in preparation for July 28th. I
must say I enjoyed being a participant rather
than an organizer. I attended a great many
sessions including Pre-Beginner Machine
Language with Lou Sander, Better BASIC
with Jim Butterfield and Women in Com-
puting with Ellen Strasma.
I now realize how spoiled we are here in
Toronto. Just about any month a Regular
or Student member can hear Jim Butterfield
expound as only Jim Butterfield can. I had
to attend his session in Hershey to fully
appreciate how much others appreciate him
and just how lucky we are!
I expect my Hershey experience will be
useful to me as co-ordinator of TPUG's
Fourth Annual Conference next May.
Another Riddle
What does a person who does word process-
ing like to drink?
TPUG Bulletin Board
By the time you read this, the Bulletin
Board will have moved again. The new
number is 416-782-9534. Hopefully, this is
the last move for a while!
VIC Programming Contest
I trust that your entry to the VIC program-
ming contest is in ! The deadline is October
2, 1984. The two sections to the contest are
( 1 ) programs written in BASIC and (2) pro-
grams written in another language.
Tape Terminal Programs
Gord Campbell has put together a set of
terminal programs which will work on tape.
As yet, this "group" has not been properly
organized for the library and therefore does
not have an official library name. However,
if you wish to purchase this tape in its pres-
ent form (cost $6.00), just ask for the "tape
terminal programs".
Associate Club Chapters
The list of groups who have taken advan-
tage of the offer to have fifteen or more of
their members join TPUG at a saving of
$5.00 per member is growing all the time.
The latest additions are: Southern Califor-
nia 64 Users Group, Eagle Rock Commo-
dore Computer Club of Idaho Falls, Idaho;
Phoenix Arizona Commodore Club; Mid-
City Commodore Club of Fort Worth/
Arlington Texas; Mountain Computer
Society, Utah; and Anchorage Commodore
Users Group, Alaska. We now have fifty-
one associated clubs!
TPUG Conference 1984
Have you sent in the Appraisal Sheet which
was on page 58 of the August/September
TPUG Magazine? No? — please take a few
minutes and do it today. Meetings to plan
the next Conference are already under way.
Coming Events
A Machine Language course taught by
David Williams (Editor of TPUG Maga-
zine) will be offered in the Toronto area. 10
classes from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. on Tuesday
evenings, starting October 2nd. Location
— Lakeshore Collegiate (Kipling Avenue,
near Lakeshore). For further information
call The Continuing Education Department,
Etobicoke Board of Education (626-4360)
and ask about course # 1815. Total course
cost -$20.00.
Storywriter for the C-64
Stop the presses! Don Whitewood of the
Toronto Board of Education has succeeded
in getting version 11 of Storywriter for the
PET converted to the Commodore 64. Know-
ing Don, this is THE version to have. There
are a few other versions out and about, but
unfortunately they are based on earlier ver-
sions of the PET program. At the time of
writing, I do not know which C-64 disk
Storywriter will appear on. If you can't
wait for next month's magazine before
ordering, just send in an order for "the
disk with Storywriter for the 64", and we'll
do the rest.
NOS Translator
In the July issue it was stated that the NOS
Translator programs had been given to the
TPUG Librarians for inclusion in the club
library. I have asked that these programs
appear on the September releases for the
VIC 20, PET and C-64.
Tape Mastering
TPUG has purchased a Sony high-speed
tape duplicator to copy Commodore Edu-
cational tapes, plus any future C-64 and
VIC tapes. The arrival of this machine will
speed up our ability to make these tapes
available to members. Gone forever are
the long waits for tapes!
At long last we are having success with our
disk-to-tape program and intend to pro-
duce any PET tapes that are ordered by
this method.
Tape Drives
Chris Bennett has spent many hours testing
the alignment of datasettes. We recently
purchased two brand new datasettes from a
CBM dealer — one was okay, the second
was way out of alignment; — some programs
would load, others would not. By perse-
vering, Chris has mastered aligning a tape
drive without sending it to Commodore
— and without using an oscilloscope. He is
now working on developing a tape align-
ment kit for about $5.00. If he can get the
special screwdriver he needs, it may be
free with an order of four tapes. More news
on this later. . .
Annual General Business Meeting
As mentioned in the Calendar of TPUG
Events, the Annual General Business Meet-
ing will take place on Thursday, October 4
at Leaside High School, Bayview fe Eglinton
Avcs., Toronto, at 7:30 p.m. I am taking
the space to repeat the information again
here because it is important that 'Regular'
Members in particular take note, mark the
date on their calendars and make a point of
coming out and participating. The finan-
cial statement for the fiscal year will be
discussed, the executive for the next year
will be elected, etc.
The vitality of any democratically-organized
group can be measured by the active involve-
ment of its members. Just as it is your right
(and I would say, your duty) to take an
informed part in a political election, so it is
your right (and I would say, your duty) to
take an active interest in your club. If you
can't come in person, read over the "Notice
Of Meeting" package which Regular mem-
bers will receive in the mail, and make sure
that your views are being represented by
using your proxy form.
Answer
A word processor drinks TAB. TPUG
TPUG magazine page 7
HELP !
Do you have anything for this column? The three headings are:
(1) Helpful Hints,
(2) Who's Got the Answer? and
(3) "PET" Pals Wanted.
Just send your contributions (including answers to any questions which
have appeared) to:
Toronto PET Users Group
Dept. Help
1912A Avenue Rd., Ste. 1
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5M4A1
Please let us know if you wish your full address published.
S.O.S. from Doris Bradley: If you follow the HELP column regularly you
will be aware that there are many people out there with questions. On the
other side of the coin, we do have some very knowledgeable and helpful
members who pitch in and provide information, technical help etc. Just
recently Clayton W. Dewey K8CKD volunteered to answer questions
from HAM operators. His offer got me thinking about one of the biggest
problems I have — where to find someone who can answer a specific
question. What I'd like to do is to set up a Manager file of those members
who could be called upon occasionally to provide some assistance
(indicating their area(s) of expertise). If you might consider volunteering.
drop me a line or give me a call and let's discuss it. I would only provide
you with one inquiry a month (unless you indicated otherwise).
Helpful Hints
This month the Hints section takes on a
new look. Below you will find questions
along* with answers which have been pro-
vided by some of our experts in the Toronto
area. As much as possible, we will try to
deal in this way with some of the more
interesting questions which probably have
wide appeal.
(Q) I would like to address a problem that
we have encountered and I'm sure other
members have also come across. When you
acquire new programs in the Commodore
Educational Series, you incorporate them
in alphabetical order. This causes the mem-
ber who previously owned all the programs
to do without, or order a whole new set. I
understand that this is the easiest and most
organized way to list these sets. If I may be
so bold as to suggest also incorporating
new diskettes consisting of these newly
released programs: i.e. "ED ADDENDUM
#T\ so that the member can keep a full set
without too much trouble and expense.
William F. Besterman
Nautilus Computer Club
Groton, CT 06340
(A) / understand fully the problem you are
faced with, but unfortunately TPUG is not
the originator of this series, and so does not
have the opportunity to incorporate the pro-
grams as we would wish. If we had the time,
we would like to take the Commodore Educa-
tional Software library and reorganize it accord-
ing to grade level As a matter of fact, if David
Bradley, one of the Commodore 64 librarians,
succeeds in reorganizing all the current
monthly disks for the C-64 into category disks
before the summer is over, he intends to do
just that. In addition, if you were to supply a
list of the newly released programs, he might
also be able to do as you suggest.
(Q) It would be greatly appreciated if you
can explain how I can include your Lockdisk
64 program (or something equal) to my
disks, since it is in ML and I don't have a
working knowledge of it at this time, and
am still confused tremendously even though
I have the (C)E1 disk. Any help you can
provide in clearing the snow of ML pro-
graming would be greatly appreciated.
Also in your copy programs: File Copy
and Copy All have SYS #'s in them which
prevent making comments in the program
or otherwise modifying them. Could you
explain why, for what purpose and how
they could be implemented in any pro-
grams I write.
I appreciate your efforts in writing all these
various programs and would hope that you
would start a series on programing, mainly
in the area of how to use the various rou-
tines that are currently imbedded in the
C-64 for assisting in writing programs for
us newer-type people who have only had a
year or so with computers.
Another request I have of you is for a Chris-
tian Brother who teaches computers at St.
Joseph H.S. here in Westchester. His request
is for a PRINT USING command which he
got used to on an Apple. The high school at
present has 12 C-64's and 4 1541 drives
James M. Ardovitch
Chicago, Illinois
(A) Lockdisk 64 is a BASIC program which
has locked itself It can be copied by using
any readily available copy program such as
1541 Backup or Unicopy.
The SYS #s call up Machine Language parts
of the program. The Machine Language is
used for speed. You will need a Machine
Language monitor to list this, plus a little
knowledge.
There is a brief PRINT USING program in
the library which will format numbers neatly
for output in columns.
(Asst. Business Mgr. 's Note: Jim Butterfield
has a book on Machine Language program-
ming which was just recently published. It is
called "An Introduction to Commodore
Machine Language Programming" and is
published by Robert J. Brady Co.)
(Q) I am the "Computer Lady' 1 here at the
Dubin Center. We own and use 2 Commo-
dore PETs, 1 CBM 8032, and 1 Commo-
dore 64.
Quite often we have had the situation where
there are some programs on the 1541 disk
format that we wish to have also on our
PETs or CBM. I have tried many times to
save these programs onto tape, but these
tapes will not run or list on either the PETs
or the CBM.
Can you help me? What will make these
programs run and list on the other ma-
chines?
Heather Albright
Santa Barbara, California
(A) To make the programs loadable on the
PET, you must make the C-64 pretend tem-
porarily that it is a PET too. The following
POKEs on the C-64 will do it:
POKE 56576,5:POKE 53272,4:POKE 648,128:
POKE 1024,0:POKE 44,4:POKE 56,128:NEW
These should all be given in one line. The
resulting screen will be messy so clear the
screen. Now load the programs that you wish
page 8 TPUG magazine
to transfer one last time, save on afresh tape
or disk and these newly saved programs will
load correctly into the PET. WARNING! If
the program uses special features of the 64
such as colour or sound, this procedure will
get it to load but you still will not be able to
run it.
(Q) I am trying to obtain a utility that will
do the following: To make a M/L Code
program on a HIRES or NORMAL screen,
step one instruction at a time, so at any
point I can read the instruction last executed,
its location in memory, and the A X Y
registers.
Ideally, the utility should reside from $C000
upwards and be able to read programs up
to $BFFF after lifting the ROM at SA0O0.
I have been told that your EXTRAMON
may be able to do this but I cannot get any
information on it. If you know of a pro-
gram that will do what I require would you
let me know where I can obtain it with
instructions (1541 disk if possible).
Roger K. Walsome
Feltham, England
(A) Supermon 64 is available, but it does not
contain a single step version. For debugging
I would recommend inserting the break
command. The source programs for Supermon
have been given to the Commodore 64
librarians, but I am not sure if they have
appeared in the library yet.
(Q) Apparently Commodore U.K. are about
to release a Z80 cartridge together with
CP/M. Is this available in Canada yet?
I am very interested in Logo. By that I
mean a full use/implementation, not just
Turtle Graphics. "The surface of Logo has
yet to be scratched — my theory!"
Alistair O'Connell
Cornwall, England
( A) As far as CP/M is concerned, yes; there is
a limited CP/M available. It is "limited" since,
first of all, the C-64 has only 40 columns,
while most CP/M programs expect more.
Secondly, the version we have seen operates
in 48K of memory and many CP/M pro-
grams expect 56K. Finally, Commodore disks
have a different format than most CP M
disks. It seems likely that the Commodore
version is a training CP M rather than a
fully-fledged system.
Commodore Logo is first-class. It is written
by Terrapin and may be the most full-featured
Logo ever placed on a micro.
Questions
I have a PET 2001 with a graphic ROM,
and a Gemini printer with an ADA 1800
interface. Is there a commercial or public
domain program for downloading the PET
graphic set to the printer? I know there is
one by Cardco for the C-64, but what about
the 2001?
Candy Jens
Wall, New Jersey
As a high school teacher, I have been con-
sidering some independent micro tutoring.
The '84 educational activities-computer pro-
grams brochure from 'Educational Activities,
Inc.' shows promise. True/False?
Ray Hendle
Innisfail, Australia
I have tried many places to find out how I
can make my CBM display the characters
necessary for foreign languages. (I am using
a TEC 1500 Starwriter Printer.) This in-
cludes writing to many of the Commodore
Computer Stores in French-speaking Can-
ada and writing to those addresses in
Commodore's Encyclopedia advertising the
equipment necessary for this ability. In
desperation, I asked my local computer
store to help me, but alas, it all seems in
vain. Has anyone got any helpful sugges-
tions?
Clinton S. Cummings
40011 McDowell Cr. Dr.
Lebanon, Oregon 99355
Is there a word processor for use with French
text which will work with a C-64, 1541 disk
drive, 1702 monitor and Gemini-lOX prin-
ter?
Warren Pollans
South Carolina State College
Orangeburg, SC 29117
I am looking for programs for our 4032/4040
system which would give us general ledger
capabilities; data-base management; Bible
research. I know that a lot of programs of
these types are available for CP/M. Is it
worth while, in light of Ron Kushnier's
article, to buy a Z-RAM so that we could
use these CP/M programs?
Rev. J. Paul Morris
Long Beach, CA
Is there anyone who has successfully modi-
fied the Macrotronics M650 RTTY + ASCII
terminal program for 4.0 BASIC on the
8032 (not 4032)?
P. J. Rovero
Monterey, CA
I have a Commodore 64 and a 1650 Auto-
modem. I have been using 'Autoterm/1650.c
and Term64.d' to access CompuServe, DJNS,
etc. Ian Wright, in his review of the C-64
Automodem, seemed to have no trouble
using this terminal software. However, I
cannot figure out how to download data
from these sources. My main interest is to
download text from their encyclopaedia,
news reports, etc. I have been logging on
via DATAPAC in Winnipeg. If this soft-
ware is not adequate could someone sug-
gest a suitable one? I should add I have a
1541 disk drive but do not have a datasette.
The program that came with the modem is
on cassette and I can't use it.
Dr. S. A. Randeree
Emerson, Manitoba
I teach physics, mathematics and some elec-
tronics at university- After considerable eval-
uation of equipment and software I have
purchased and am presently using the C-64,
DATA 20 Eighty column plug-in and Gem-
ini 10 printer for word processing. The
word processor is from Protecto. In the
sciences one often needs to type superscripts
and subscripts, greek symbols, and mathe-
matical symbols. Of course, descenders are
also necessary for appearances sake. It would
also be nice to be able to compose the work
on the screen in 80 columns and print in
exactly the same format. Does someone know
of a system that will do all of this for a
reasonable price?
Robert Speers
Huron, Ohio
I am a science/maths teacher at the local
high school. Although I am using micros
for introducing BASIC only at the moment,
it is my intention to develop its business
capacities (a 'course' available for the com-
munity), its micro tutoring (generally for
younger people), and specific programming
courses such as LOGO. I am also in the
process of evaluating Multiplan, The
Manager, and SuperBase 64 as business
tools. No doubt there are members who
have progressed beyond the early stage
which I mention here. Perhaps I could
receive some much needed assistance by
referral to texts, software, ideas. . .
R. J. Hendle
P.O. Box 1072
Innisfail, 4860
Queensland, Australia
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 9
I am trying to locate "Hairdressing School"
as listed in the Commodore Encyclopedia
of Software. Can anybody help?
Robert Everett
155 Castlefield Ave.
Toronto, ON M4R 1G6
I have a VIC 20 and a VIC-1525 printer.
My printer always writes over the previous
line. How can I fix it? Also, I need some
help with telecomputing. I use the Vic-
modem, with Victerm 1.
Liesel Radke
Box 1382
Rocky Mtn House, AB TOM 1T0
PET Pals
I would like to communicate with someone
or some group with similar equipment to
mine. I have an 8032 with an 8050 dual disk
drive, and a Madison Z-RAM board with a
Z-80A microprocessor, and a copy of CP/M
version 2,2.
Stanley K. Johns
60 Guilford Lane, Ste. B
Williamsville, NY 14221
I am interested in trading ideas and the
like with anyone who currently lives in a
foreign country. A requirement is that you
either speak English or Chinese as these
are the only two languages I know.
Patrick Grote
1 1706 Devonshire Ave.
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
I am French-speaking and living in Aus-
tralia. I would like to be in contact with any
French-speaking Commodore 64 users.
Guy Coppens
Australian Computer Education Ass'n
P.O. Box 194
Corinda 4075, Australia
HAM OPERATORS
Name
Location
Call Sign
Canada
R.E. Pettit
Brandon, MB
VE40P
R.M. Johnston
Rothesay, NB
VE1EY
Michael R. Henwood
Moncton, NB
VE1BXV
William S. Townson
Ottawa, ON
VE3KIF
Maria G. Townson
Ottawa, ON
VE3KIP
Harold A. Dietrich
Waterloo, ON
VE3EJP
Rick Whitcomb
Verona, ON
VE3NWT
Ron Hall
Lakefield, ON
VE3CRT
Jack Millage
Lakefield, ON
VE3BLL
Ron Norris
London, ON
VE3FXX
Jack Becker
Downsview, ON
VE3NZJ
or K4PBH
J. Allan Smith
Trenton, ON
VE3GI
Derek V. Stott
North Bay, ON
VE3KAA
Peter Hayes
White Spruce, SK
VE5ACY
International
Peter J. Archer
Nelson, New Zealand
ZL2TYP
Juhani Leinonen
Turku, Finland
OH1FS
United States
Cameron G. Pierce, Jr.
Palo Alto, CA
N6TQ
J. Carter Courtney
Lyme, CT
WA1FOK
Alfred Kornfeld
Manchester, CT
KM1U
Lyman Duggan
Tampa, FL
VE3ILW/W4
John McDowell
Crest Wood, IL
N9CVK
Dick Wasserberg
Lincolnwood, IL
K9RRF
Ronald Maclntyre
Newbury Port, MA
KA1LCZ
Carl A. Kolenda
Troy, MI
WB8BTY
John C. Sutherland
Livonia, MI
W8MOB
R. M. Strieker
Charleston, MO
W0UX
Robert McKinleyJr
Tington Falls, NJ
W20MR
Geoff Krauss
Latham, NY
WAZGFP
K.P. Perry
Kingsport, TN
N4DRG
Robert J. Hennings
Piano, TX
N5ECM
Michael Melum
Alexandria, VA
WA0CJI
Marvin Lowman
Inwood, WV
WB8NQB
JOIN TPTJG
The largest Commodore Users Group
Benefit from:
Access to library ofpublic domain software for G--64,
VIC 20 and PET/CBM
Magazine ( 3 per year) with advice from
Jim Buiter field
David Hook
Borge Gtmatensen
TPUG yearly memberships:
Regular member (attends meetings)
Student member (full-time, attends meetings)
Associate (Canada)
Associate (U.S.A.)
Associate (Overseas — sea mail)
Associate (Overseas — air mail)
-$30.00 Cdn.
-$20.00 Cdn.
-$20.00 Cdn.
-$20.00 U.S.
-$25.00 Cdn.
-$30.00 U.S.
-$40.00 U.S.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Send $1.00 for an information catalogue
(tell us which machine you use!)
To: TPUG INC.
DEPT.A,
19 ISA AVENUE HD., SUITE 1,
TORONTO, ONTARIO
CANADA M5M4A1
page 10 TPUG magazine
CALENDAR OF TPUG EVENTS
Fall Schedule
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING -Thursday, October 4, at Leaside
High School, Bayview k Eglinton Aves., at 7:30 p.m. in the
auditorium. Regular members are voting members.
Please note: The exceptions to the "rule" for the designated date for a
meeting (e.g. 2nd Thursday) are shown in bold.
BRAMPTON CHAPTER - Central Peel Secondary School, 32 Ken-
nedy Rd. N., on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 in the
Theatre.
Thu. Sept. 13
Thu. Oct. 18
Thu. Nov. 8
Thu. Dec.13
CENTRAL CHAPTER - Leaside High School, Bayview k Eglinton
Aves., on the second Wednesday of the month, at 7:30 p.m. in the
auditorium, for PET/CBM.
Wed. Sept. 12
Wed. Oct. 10
Wed. Nov. 14
Wed. Dec. 12
COMAL GROUP -York Public Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W.,
(just east of Dufferin) on the last Thursday of the month at 7:30
p.m. in the auditorium.
Thu. Sept. 27
Thu. Oct. 25
Thu. Nov. 29
Thu. Dec. 27
Commodore 64 CHAPTER- York Mills C.I., 490 York Mills Rd.,
(east of Bayview) on the last Monday of the month, at 7 :30 p.m. in
the cafetorium.
Mon. Sept. 24
Mon. Oct. 29
Mon. Nov. 26
Mon. Dec. 17
COMMUNICATIONS GROUP- York Public Library, 1745 Eglinton
Ave. W., (just east of Dufferin) on the first Wednesday of the
month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Story Hour Room (adjacent to the
auditorium).
Wed. Sept. 5
Wed. Oct. 3
Wed. Nov. 7
Wed. Dec. 5
EASTSIDE CHAPTER - Dunbarton High School, (from the traf-
fic lights at Highway 2 and Whites Rd. — go north on Whites Rd. to
next traffic lights — turn left to parking lots) on the second Monday
of the month at 7:30 p.m. in Rooms 327 and 329.
Mon. Sept. 10
Mon. Oct. 15
Mon. Nov. 12
Mon. Dec. 10
FORTH CHAPTER -York Public Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave.
W., (just east of Dufferin) on the second Tuesday of the month, at
7:30 p.m. in the Story Hour Room (adjacent to the auditorium).
Tue. Sept. 11 Tue. Nov. 13
Tue. Oct. 9 Tue. Dec. 4
HARDWARE CHAPTER -York Public Library, 1745 Eglinton
Ave. W., (just east of Dufferin) on the first Friday of the month, at
6:30 p.m. in the Story Hour Room (adjacent to the auditorium).
Fri. Sept. 7
Fri. Oct. 5
Fri. Nov. 2
Fri. Dec. 7
MACHINE LANGUAGE CHAPTER (6502) - Call Jim Carswell at
416/531-9909 for additional information.
SuperPET CHAPTER -York University, Petrie Science Building
(check in Room 340). Use north door of Petrie to access building.
On the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Sept.19
Wed. Oct. 17
Wed. Nov. 21
Wed. Dec. 19
VIC 20 CHAPTER - York Public library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W.,
(just east of Dufferin) on the first Tuesday of the month, at 7:30
p.m. in the auditorium.
Thu. Sept, 6
Tue. Oct. 2
Tue. Nov. 6
Tue. Dec. 4
WESTSIDE CHAPTER -Clarkson Secondary School, Bromsgrove
just east of Winston Churchill Blvd., (south of the QEW) on the
thud Thursday of the month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre for
PET/CBM/VIC 20/Commodore 64.
Thu. Sept. 20
Thu. Oct. 18
Thu. Nov. 15
Thu. Dec. 20
Are you interested in organizing some other interest group in the
Greater Toronto area? Please let the club office know, by mail,
phone, or TPUG bulletin board.
Interested in
COMAL?
TPUG is pleased to announce a COMAL program-
ming manual, written by one of the language's creators,
Borge Christensen.
This book contains over fifty pages of text and examples.
It is ideally suited as a language tutorial as well as a
desk-top reference manual for programmers.
A special introductory price of $6.95 will be in effect
until October 31st, 1984. The regular price is $9.95.
Send your orders
To: THJGINC.
DEPT. A,
19 12A AVENUE RD., SUITE 1,
TORONTO, ONTARIO
CANADA M5M 4A1 ^
TPUG magazine page 11
TPUG Associate Club Chapter Meetings
CANADA
Edmonton Commodore Users Group
— meets at Archbishop Jordan His;"h School, Sherwood Park, on
the last Friday of each month ai 7 p.m.
Contact Bob Kadylo 403-465-3523
Guelph Computer Club
— meets at Co-operators Insurance Assoc, on the 2nd Wednesday
ol each month at 7:30 p.m.
Contact Brian Grime 519-822-4992
London Commodore Users Club
— meets at Althouse College of Education, main auditorium, on
the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Contact Dennis Trankner 519-681-5059
Sarnia C-64 Users Group
— meets at Lambton College on the first Sunday of each month at
7:30 p.m.
Contact J. C. Hollemans 519-542-4710
Commodore Users Club of Sudbury
— meets at Lasalle High School in the cafeteria, on the last Thursday
of each month at 7 p.m.
Contact Tim Miner 705-566-9632
PET Educators Group (Windsor)
— meets at Windsor Separate School Board Media Centre, 1485
Janette Ave. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (not July <k
August) at 7 p.m.
Contact John Moore 519-253-8658
UNITED STATES
Boston Computer Society/Commodore Users Group
— meets at Minute Man Tech High School, kt 2A (just off kt 128)
in Lexington, MA, every 2nd Monday of the month, at 7p.m.
Contact Harvey W. Gendreau 617-661-9227
Commodore Houston Users Group ( Texas)
— Clear Lake Chapter— Nassau Bay City Hall, NASA koad #1, on
the 1st Wednesday ol each month at 7 p.m.
— Central Chapter— Farrish Hall, University of Houston main campus
-NW Chapter- Bleyl Jr. High School, 10,000 Mills Rd. (Cypress-
Fairbanks SO), on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
— Klein Chapter -Hildehrandl Middle School, 22,800 Hildebrandt
kd. (Klein ISD), on the 3rd Tuesday ol each month (except July
& August) at d:30 p.m.
Contact Mary F. Howe 713-376-7000
Genesee County Area PET Users Group (Michigan)
— meets at Bentley High School on Belsay Rd.on the 3rd Thursday
ol each month at 7 p.m.
Contact Gordon Hale 313-239-1366
Greater Omaha Commodore 64 Users Group
— meets at South Omaha campus of the Metropolitan Technical
Community College, 27th and Q Streets, in Room 120 of the
Industrial Training Center, on the first Thursday of the month
at 7 p.m.
Contact Bob Quisenberry 402-292-2753
Manasota Commodore Users Group (Florida)
— meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m.
Contact Roberto O. Bronson 813-747-1785
Michigan's Commodore 64 Users Group
— meets at Warren Woods High School in Warren, on the 3rd
Tuesday ol each month at 7 p.m.
Mohawk Valley Commodore User's Group (New York)
— meets at the Clara S. Bacon School in Amsterdam, NY, at 7 p.m.
on the second Tuesday of the month.
Contact William A. Nowak 518-829-7576
Russellville CUG, Inc. (Arkansas)
— meets at Oakland Heights Elementary School on the 3rd Thursday
of each month at 7 p.m.
Contact Bob Brazeal 501-967-1868
Sacramento Commodore Computer Club (California)
— meets at Kit Carson High School on the 4th Monday of each
month at 7 p.m.
Contact Geoff Worstell 916-9^1-8699
Southern Minnesota Commodore Users Group
— meets at Mankato State University on the first Thursday of each
month at 7:30 p.m.
Contact Dean Otto 507-625-6942
Westmoreland Commodore User's Club (Pennsylvania)
— meets at Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood
PA) on the 3rd Friday evening of each month
Contact Bob McKinley 412-863-3930
INTERNATIONAL
Baden Computer Club (West Germany)
— meets at CFB Baden-Soellingen on the 2nd Sunday of each
month at 7 p.m.
Contact Ben Brash
D1SKAUGNER
FOR YOUR 1541 DISK DRIVE!
In less than an hour, wiih just a Phillips screw-
driver and the DISKALIGNER Disk, you can
pul your 1541 back on line, perfectly realigned!
$29.95 Cdn.
$24.95 U.S.
(Ontario Residents add 7% Provincial Sales Tax)
I,
G.R.Q Marketing Ltd
P.O. Box 197;
Thornhill, Ontario
L3T3N3
1
In the Toronto area DISKALIGNER
may be purchased at Electronics 2001
5529 Yonge St., Willowdale, Ontario
M2N 5S3 (416)223-8400
page 12 TPUG magazine
PET/CBM MULTI USER DISK SYSTEM
•ALLOWS UP TO SIXTEEN USERS TO SHARE DISK DRIVES
AND/OR PRINTERS
• WORKS WITH ALL PET/CBM EQUIPMENT
• 100% HARDWARE INTERFACED
• NO ALTERATIONSTOSOFTWARE OR SPECIAL SOFTWARE RE-
QUIRED
•SOFTWARE TRANSPARENT - WORKS WITH ALL PET/CBM
SOFTWARE
• LANGUAGE TRANSPARENT — WORKS IN ANY LANGUAGE
• NO SPECIAL COMMANDS USED
• PROTECTS AGAINST SYSTEM LOCKUP
COMMODORE 64 MULTI USER DISK SYSTEM
• ALLOWS UP TO EIGHT USERS TO SHARE DISK DRIVES
AND/OR PRINTERS
• WORKS WITH ALL 64/VIC EQUIPMENT
• BUILT IN IEEE AND 64/VIC SERIAL PORTS
(WORKS WITH ALL IEEE DEVICES)
• 100% HARDWARE INTERFACED
• NO ALTERATIONS TO SOFTWARE OR SPECIAL
SOFTWARE REQUIRED — SOFTWARE TRANSPARENT
• NO SPECIAL COMMANDS USED
• BUILT IN 16K PRINT BUFFER
• DISK DRIVE PRIORITY
GREATER PRODUCTIVITY & LOWER COST
FOR BUSINESS AND EDUCATIONAL USE
4032
8032
40 TO 80 COLUMN CONVERSION
• EXTERNALLY SWITCHABLE FROM 40 TO 80 COLUMNS
• EXTERNALLY SWITCHABLE FROM 80 TO 40 COLUMNS
• CONVERSIONS FOR BOTH 4032's AND 8032's
• 100% SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY IN EITHER MODE
• HARDWARE (NOT SOFTWARE) MODIFICATION
• ALL KEYS FROM 8032 EMULATED ON 4032
• SPECIAL FUNCTION KEYS
'
^^%
oco^^rs^
^_
K
v* x v^^^^
►
MIC
•LO
•RE
•AL
• IEE
• WC
• NO
• ELI
PR
ROSHARE 64K PRINT BUFFER
WCOST
DUCES LONG WAITS — SAVES TIME
_OWS YOU TO PRINT AND PROCESS SIMULTANEOUS
E INPUT — IEEE OR CENTRONICS PARALLEL OUTPU'
)RKS WITH ALL PET/CBM SOFTWARE
INSTALLATION REQUIRED
MINATES THE FRUSTRATION OF WATING FOR Y
NTER
LY
r
OUR
COMMODORE U, PET. ANDCBM ARE ALL TRADEMARKS OF COMMODORE BUSINESS MACHINES. INC
MANUFACTURED BY:
COMSPEC COMMUNICATIONS INC.
153 BRIDGELAND AVE, UNIT 5,
TORONTO, ONTARIO M6A 2Y6
(416)787-0617
TPUG magazine page 13
LASER PROJECTIONS
A Meeting Of Art And Technology
Greg Lowry
Toronto, ON
Introduction
A dynamic art of pure projected light may have been one of
mankind's ancient dreams, induced by the flickering campfire
glow as it played across the rock walls of our ancestors' cave-
dwellings. The constant flux of projected light forms must have
been a powerful stimulus to the imagination and emotions ol
primitive man.
During the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, opti-
cal theories and experiments performed by Newton, Goethe,
Chevreul and others gradually laid foundations for the concept of
a fine art of projected light. Later, impressionists concerned them-
selves with the technology of vision (albeit superficially). Their art
reflected an interest in light and motion, and in the sciences which
sought to explain them. Their philosophies gave rise to the notion
that art might someday have as much to do with the traditions of
science as with the traditions of art.
Traditionally, the arts and sciences have been considered mutu-
ally exclusive endeavors. The scientist, working within natural
laws applied to hard devices and machines, had little to do with
artistic experimenting as applied to ephemeral forms. Arts and
sciences are so close today that there is an interplay of disciplines.
Their convergence has been stimulated by the advances of our
scientific and industrial technology, with its offerings of new and
better means of generating and manipulating light, and novel
methods of storing and processing information.
In the late 1960's a novel form of light display combined a variety
of projection media — film, slides and overhead projectors. The
"light show" flourished as a visual accompaniment to the emergent
rock music of that era. Scientists and artists in those years began to
speculate that the ancient vision might be realized by using one of
the greatest technological innovations of the age — the laser.
Today, lasers are being widely applied in the sciences. The word
"laser" has become associated with much "state of the art" technol-
ogy such as nuclear fusion, holography, and data recording and
transmission. Against this extensive utility, it is not surprising that
a potential for art was recognized.
The Laser
The laser works somewhat like a fluorescent light bulb. An electric
current is sent through a gas-filled glass tube. When enough power
is applied, the gas begins to glow. However, in a laser, partially
silvered mirrors at each end of the tube bounce the light particles
back and forth until they pack enough power to shine through the
mirrors. The result is an extremely thin high-energy beam of
photons blasting tightly in the same direction.
In today's marketplace, there are a variety of ion lasers. The HeNe
(Helium Neon) laser produces only one ruby red spectral line at a
wave-length of 632.8 nm. A mixed gas KrAr (Krypton Argon) laser
will produce several lines of varying intensity from red to ultra
violet. A Krypton laser is most efficient in red. With soft coated
optics, however, it can also reveal yellow/green and blue lines. An
Argon ion laser has six lines within the blue/green portion of the
spectrum.
Color Separation
A common means of gaining access to individual colors is to beam
light from a Krypton or Krypton-Argon laser into a littrow or
equilateral prism to extract spectral components. Separate beam
colors can then be controlled with simple On/Off shutters, acousto-
optics or beam intervention techniques.
Projection Methods
A) Scanned Image Generation
There are a variety of laser effects machines on the market which
generate two-dimensional patterns through the use of dual axis
galvanometer scanners. This electromechanical device rotates a
small mirror which is attached to its shaft. In order to get two
orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) axes, two scanners are posi-
tioned at right angles to one another so that the beam is reflected
off both mirrors. Simultaneous movement of both scanners will
move the laser beam in complex trajectories. In 'reality' at any
given instant there is only a single dot moving so rapidly that the
pencil beam (due to the phenomenon called 'persistence of vision')
appears as a solid line image. (See Graph 1)
Open loop scanners are capable of covering sixty degrees of visual
angle. Position feedback (closed loop) scanners use signals corres-
ponding to both current position and velocity. These permit extreme
accuracy in translation of input signal into mirror displacement.
They do not suffer from the non-linearities and open-loop distor-
tions associated with other scanners. A typical closed loop scanner
obtains 2 KHz bandwidths over a wide scan angle and 3.5 KHz at
lesser deflections. This means that the mirrors on the scanners can
be oscillated at these frequencies.
If the feedback path is broken, and an appropriate computer and
peripherals are placed therein, a memory of images becomes
available, as I will describe later. As well, actual letter writing,
logos and representational imagery are possible. Laser graphics
require the design of a system where the bandwidth of scanners
places the upper bound on the complexity of the imagery while
still allowing for real-time transformations. Bandwidth limitation
is due to the inherent mechanical limitations of the electro-magnetic
galvanometer, such as the inertia of its mirror.
page 14 TPUG magazine
The most familiar method for image synthesis is accomplished
through the use of standard electronic waveform generators oper-
ating scanners to produce Lissajous figures. For example, two
equal amplitude sine waves of the same frequency (90 degrees out
of phase with one another) form a circle centered at the origin. (See
Graph 2). This is the basic quadrature oscillator. More complex
abstract designs, with a circular motif, can be achieved by summing
a number of waveforms from oscillators tuned at harmonic
frequencies, followed by control signals from a rotator circuit.
Graph 1
scanner
*y axis'
torque
action of
mirrors
90° 180* 270° 360°
two signals 90° phase shift; sine
& cosine wave fed to their respective
scanners quickly reveal simple quad-
rature resultant, a circle
C' negative 30°
B origin of rest
incident
laser
beam
JV fjr zfK positive 30°
position A X.
positive 151 _ _ 3
rest position^B' "Z.
negative 15°_--- rf " ^
position C polar view of scanner mirror
*note . . . the projection angle is twice the deflection angle relative to the
incoming beam or plane of light
Representational images can also be produced. The ability to
enter hand-drawn graphics by bit pad, and to do frame animation
by sequential accesses of stored points, immediately makes a digi-
tal system which is more versatile than an analog system. This
technique of image design is very similar to sprite programming
on the Commodore 64. See photos for examples of these images.
Animated sequences can be stored on magnetic tape with the use of
an FM encoding system. The X and Y positions of the laser beam
are stored as two signals on the tape. Once recorded, any projected
shape can be repeatably reproduced whenever the tape is played.
A third signal, in addition to the X and Y, blanks the laser beam.
This makes it possible to display images with broken or discontinu-
ous lines. If the magnetic tape also carries recorded music, on
separate tracks from the animation signals, exact synchronization
between the music and visual images is easily achieved.
B) Raster-Scanned Images
It is possible to scan lasers to generate a raster which complies with
N.T.S.C. standards- A rotating polygonal mirror provides the
fixed-frequency 15.75 KHz horizontal deflection, while a precision
scanner steps through the 60 Hz vertical staircase wave form.
Combinations of red, green and blue allow for any color from soft
pastels to vibrant primaries anywhere within the image. In the
1920's and l 30's, when various methods of producing television
pictures were being tested, this type of mechanical scanning was
tried. At that time, lasers did not exist. Without them, mechanically-
scanned images could not be produced with good definition, and
this technique was discarded in favour of the cathode-ray tube.
Nowadays it is being revived as one of several possible methods of
producing very large TV pictures.
C) Non-Scanned Image Formation
Another method of image generation depends on transmission
modulators which interact with the laser beam's phase coherence. I
regard these as compositional instruments which are unlike any
scan technique. This class of imagery may involve reflection,
refraction, diffraction or interference dispersion. Translucent mate-
rials act to portray complex interference patterns such as galaxies,
nebuli, clouds, and a myriad of others. Diffraction gratings also
provide a technique of image multiplication with various densities
and arrangements.
TPUG magazine page 15
GRAPH 2
some system block diagrams
analog galvo scanning
LASER
vertical
galvo^- ^
Z^^ "y"
signal
generators
signal
processing
scanner
amplifier
signal
mixing
— *•
signal
generators
signal
processing
scanner
amplifier
*
.
horii
control
(your input)
joystick
for x — y
positioning
(control can be keyboards, knobs, sliders, pedals, analog memory etc.)
Scanner
Amplifiers
*
* 1
k
Analog
Control
as above
J \ ^. ,
j
Data
tablet of
Bit Pad
Digital
to Analog
Converter
Computer
it
disk, tape,
EPROMS ETC.
(analog/digital position detector scanning system)
Digital Techniques
Digital computer technology plays a part in several stages of the
production of a laser display. For example, outlines of three-
dimensional objects are often needed. These can be generated
digitally by feeding a computer with a set of co-ordinates represent-
ing the three-dimensional shape of the object, then processing
these to project a two-dimensional outline. This can be done repeat-
edly to portray the object in various orientations, and the sequences
of images can be recorded on magnetic tape, as described earlier.
When the tape is played through the laser projection system, an
animated, moving image of the object is produced.
Digital storage can also be used, in place of magnetic tape, to hold
the instructions for the production of images. A sequence of numbers,
representing successive X and Y positions of the laser beam, is
burned into an EPROM. The projection equipment can read these
numbers back to produce the image. The system which I use
contains many of these pre-programmed images, which I can call
up whenever I need them.
Conclusion
A dry, technological description of the processes which are used in
laser projection can do little to portray the artistic aspect of my
work. In the creative process, I experience a sense of intimate
connection, a human interaction with software and hardware. This
linkage of the thought and emotion of the inner world with the
high technology of the outer world is, to me, a revelation which
creates a vision of a new reality. TPUG
(Editor's Note: The use of Commodore computers to drive lighting-
equipment similar to that which Mr. Lowry has described is a topic which I
y hope the Hardware Chapter will investigate next spring).
page 16 TPUG magazine
IT STARTED IN '81 when our president,
the designer of the VIC-20, left
Commodore to open his own company.
His goal was to build an American
tradition ... THE BETTER WAY.
*****
****
o*-°
Commodore produced good computers
that were economical for families.
Our president wanted to provide
Commodore owners with better
peripheral products.
In less than two years, MSD was
shipping interfaces that expanded
the Commodore 64, VIC-20, and
PET computers into business and
developmental applications ... THE
SERIOUS WORLD OF COMPUTING.
Next, determined to BUILD IT BETTER,
MSD developed SUPER DISK I and II ...
exceptionally fast and durable disk
drives that NEVER OVERHEAT.
MSD's dual drive formats, copies, and
verifies in less than two minutes ...
compared to 30 or 40 minutes with
TWO Commodore 1541s. This
unparalleled speed has made SUPER
DISK II the hottest product introduced
for the Commodore line of computers!
Add the six month warranty, and you
can see why our dealers and their
customers believe in us. MSD
SYSTEMS, INC. ... Call us today for
your nearest local dealer.
Our RS-232 Serial Interfaces allow vou to
connect printers, modems, plotters, ana other
input/output devices to your 64 or VIC-20.
"?:
A parallel interface allows direct access between a
Centronics printer and your software program,
saving you loading and waiting time. Our CPI is
compatible with most software written for the 64
and VIC-20.
For professional-quality video and audio output,
our Monitor Link Cables can connect your 64
or VIC-20 to a high-resolution black/white or
color monitor, or a CRT terminal, and to a stereo
system.
The CEX-4 Expandoport gives you four additional
ports for interlaces and peripherals.
Save time and hassle with the greater
speed of an IEEE Interface. The unit is
'transparent' to your computer's expansion port,
allowing hookup to any peripheral without
interference. With this inteirace, your 64 or
VIC-20 can gain CBM/PET-type control over the
IEEE-488 bus.
Dealer and distributor inquiries invited.
10031 Monroe Dr. • Suite 206 • Dallas, Texas 75229
214-357-4434 • Outside Texas 800-527-5285
TPUG magazine page 77
Programmers Guild Products Lid.
255 ManuLife Place
10180- 101 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S4
Telephone (403) 428-6229
5 W DISKS
1 00% Certified
SSDD — $ 1 .60
DSDD — $2.50
Minimum Quantity 50 Disks Per Order
VISA ACCEPTED]
Money Back Guarantee If Not Fully Satisfied
Introducing xCOM - the total communications
software package for the Superpet. (6502 Side)
Features include:
- XMODEM protocol for file transfers.
- Multiple baud rates - 300 to 19,200.
- 20K screen scrolling buffer
- Complete disk and printer interfacing
- Line edit mode.
- Communications status line on screen.
- And much much more.
xCOM $79.95 xCOM 64 $59.95 for CBM-64
VIC 20 and Commodore 64
are trademarks of
Commodore Electronics Lid
CBM Superpei
Trademarks of Commodore
Business Machines
nomad
by Genesis
- Step motor driven from
CBM - 64
■ Joystick controls or
program controls.
Learning mode.
Ultrasonic scanning.
$275.00
Also Ask About
VIController
Wireless remote control
system for the VIC-20
and CBM-64. Use with
BSR and Leviton remote
receiver modules. $89.95
COMsense
Input device for the
VIC-20 and CBM-64.
Provides 4 open/close
and 2 analog inputs.
$64.95
COMclock/
AUTOboot
Clock/calendar cartridge
for CBM. 64 with battery
backup and auto-start
software in ROM. $89.95
COMvoice
by Genesis
.men .<-*R
— Milne's Computer Control Systems 62 Wood Crescent Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 6J7 Ph: 1-306-584-1988
A speech synthesizer
that extends the
power of speech to
Commodore 64.
English-to-Speech
conversion. $154.95
W/Exiernal Speaker $169 95
page 18 TPUG magazine
Bennett's tutorial - Relative Files
o
Q
I
Chris Bennett
TPUG Business Manager
One of the most common questions I am asked at meetings is:
"How do I use Relative files?". Because of this, I presented two
sessions on relative files at the Annual TPUG Conference in May
1984. They proved very popular. This article is basically a sum-
mary of what I presented at those sessions.
Let's first discuss the relative merits of sequential files versus
relative files. Sequential files are easy to use and pack a lot of data
in a small space. However, they must be read sequentially from
beginning to end. If the data you want is near the end of the file, all
information before it must be read and bypassed. If you wish to
update information in a sequential file, you must either read it all
into memory, update, and then write it all back out, or you will
have to read the old file and write out a new file as you update the
information.
Relative files (or direct access files) are not used this way. Once a
relative file has been created, any record within that file can be
read in, updated and written out. The one major restriction is that
all records in a relative file must be the same length. This can cause
a waste of space since you must set the record length to equal the
largest piece of information that you will be processing.
In the listing included with this article is a sample program that
creates, reads from and writes to a Relative File. It is written for
BASIC 2.0 machines such as the VIC 20, Commodore 64 and
BASIC 2.0 PETs. At the end, I will show you how to change it for
the BASIC 4.0 machines (ie. 8032, 4032, PLUS/4 and Commodore
16).
The first thing you must do is OPEN the command channel (line
210) and the last thing you do is CLOSE it (line 370). The command
channel is used to send commands to the disk drive and to read
error messages from the disk drive. Closing the command channel
at any time will also close all other files.
Using relative files is usually done in two parts. First, the relative
file must be created. The number of records needed and the length
of the records are specified in this creation process. The program
logic needed to create 40 records of 100 characters each can be
found in lines 1000 to 1110. The OPEN command in line 1010 sets
up the parameters but does not actually create any records. The
name of the relative file is TEST. The characters ",L," must follow
the name within the quotes and the record length of 100 is specified
by +CHR$(100) at the end of the OPEN. GOSUB 9010 is a subrou-
tine that reads the error channel and returns the error number in
the variable DS. Always check this variable after each disk operation.
To set up 40 records, we must point to the 40'th record in the file
and write something to it. Lines 1040 to 1060 set the record number
to 40 and check the disk status (in this case, it must be 50). Lines
1070 to 1090 print data to that record and check that the disk status
is zero. You will notice a short pause for a few seconds as the disk
drive creates the space for those 40 records on your diskette. The
file is then closed and we have finished creating the relative file.
Now we are ready to read or write to the file. The subroutine at line
2000 to 2190 gets some data from the keyboard and writes it out to
the file TEST. Note the format of the OPEN command in line 2010.
We no longer have to tell the disk drive the length of the records, as
this is stored as part of the relative file. Line 2020 and 2030 read the
error status and make sure that it is zero. Lines 2040 to 2100 get the
record number we are going to write to, plus four pieces of data.
Lines 2110 to 2130 set the record pointer. Line 2140 builds a string
of the data we are going to write. Each field is followed by a
carriage return C$ (set in line 230 at the beginning of the program).
Lines 2150 to 2170 write the data to the record. A carriage return at
the end of the record is not needed as the disk drive can tell where
the end of a record occurs.
The subroutine to read is found at lines 3000 to 3220. The OPEN
command is the same. In my example, I open and close the file for
each read and write of a record. This is not necessary. The file
should only be opened once at the start of processing and closed
when everything is finished. The OPEN statements at lines 2010
and 3010 will open the file for both input and output. The IF
statement at line 3120 is needed to check for a record that is empty.
If you INPUT from a null record, you will get a value of CHR$(255)
returned.
The one tricky part to relative files is the setting of the record
pointer. This is done in lines 8000 to 8050. A set of six characters are
sent to the disk drive over the command channel to tell it where to
position itself. First, we send a lower-case 'p\ Next, we send
CHR$(96+2) where 2 is the secondary address used in the OPEN.
The secondary address is the third parameter and can vary from 2
to 14. If the open command were OPEN 5,8,4". . . " then we would
use CHR$(96+4). The third and fourth characters sent represent
the record number. This number can be from 1 to 65535 and
requires 16 bits (2 bytes) to represent it. The low order 8 bits first,
followed by the high order 8 bits. The last values sent are the
starting position within the record, followed by a carriage return.
BASIC 4 PROGRAMMING
If you have BASIC 4.0, you may make a couple of changes to
simplify the program. First, the error channel is not needed (Delete
lines 210, 370 and 9000 to 9020, plus any reference to GOSU B 9010).
Replace line 1010 with DOPEN#l,"TEST",D0,L100 and replace
lines 2010 and 3010 with DOPEN#l,"TEST",D0. Finally, replace
lines 8010 to 8040 with RECORD#l,(R). TPUG ■> t . ,
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 19
l yy
110
128
139
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
230
240
250
260
270
230
290
380
3 1
320
330
340
350
360
370
330
1 000
1001
1002
1 003
1 004
1010
1020
1030
1040
1050
1 060
1070
1 0S0
1 090
1 1 00
1110
2000
2001
2002
2>H 1
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
2070
2080
2090
2100
2110
2120
2130
2140
2150
2160
2170
2180
2190
3000
REN
REM
REN
REN
REN
REN
REM
REN
REN
REN
******************************
RELATIVE FILES 2.0
BV
CHRIS BENNETT
*
*
#
*
*
*
******************************
OPEN 15,3,15, " 10"
C*=CHR*<13> : REM CARRIAGE RETURN
Q#=CHR*<34>: REM QUOTE
T*="REC# :NAME sflDDR sPHON :MEM# : "
PR I NT" 3";
PR I NT" 1BBI9 - EXIT"
PRINT"HH1 - CREATE FILE"'
PRINT"HS2 - WRITE FILE"
PRINT"HB3 - READ FILE"
INPUT"HBSELECT
IP A$="* u
IF A*="l"
IF fl*="2"
IF fl*="3"
IF fl$O"0
CLOSE 15
END
REM **
REM **
REM **
THEN
THEN
THEN
THEN
' THEN
OPTION
260
*IMI";A*
GO
GO
UB
UB
UB
1 1
2010
3010
CREATE RELATIVE FILE
4U RECORDS IN
RECORD LENGTH
FILE
OF 100
**
**
**
' : TEST , L , " +CHR* ( 1 OO .:
OPEN 1,3,
GO SUB 9010
IF DS09 THEN CLOSE 1 : STOP
R=48 : GOSUB 30 10
GO SUE: 9O10
IF DSO50 THEN CLOSE 1 : RETURN
PRINT#1,CHR*'::255;';
GOSUB 90 1
IF DSO0 THEN CLOSE 1: STOP
CLOSE 1
RETURN
REM ** WRITE RELATIVE RECORD **
CLOSE 1 :
Hill
RETURN
;R#
OPEN 1 ,3,2, "O: TEST"
GOSUB 9010
IF DSOO THEN
INPUT " ZMMBlgF ECtt
r=vrl<r$}
if r<1 or r>40 then 2040
INPUT"SNflME *||||" ;NA*
INPUT"aRDDR *||||" ;AD*
INPUT"SF , HON +1111 ;PH*
I NPUT " S1EM# +IMI ; MM*
GOSUB 8010:
GOSUB 9010
IF DSO0 THEN CLOSE 1: STOP
F*=R$+C*+NA*+C*+AD$+C$+PH$+C$+MM$
PRINT#1,F$;
GOSUB 9019
IF DSO0 THEN CLOSE 1: STOP
CLOSE 1
RETURN
REM SET RECORD PTR
3001
3002
3010
3O20
3030
3040
3050
3060
307O
3080
3090
3100
3110
3 1 20
3130
3 1 40
3150
3160
3170
3180
3190
3200
3210
3220
3000
3001
8002
3010
302O
3030
8040
8050
9000
900 1
9002
9010
90 1 5
9020
REM ** READ RELATIVE RECORD **
OPEN 1, 3, 2," O: TEST"
GOSUB 9010
IF DSOO THEN CLOSE 1 : RETURN
INPUT"3fiI5ISfi^EC# Hiir.rR*
R=VflLCR#>
IF R<1 OR R>40 THEN 3040
GOSUB 8010: REM SET RECORD PTR
GOSUB 9010
IF DSOO THEN CLOSE Is STOP
FOR 1=1 TO 5
: INPUT#1,D#< I>
: IF D*<I>=CHR*<255> THEN 1=5
: GOSUB 9010
: IF DSOO THEN CLOSE 1 : STOP
NEXT I
PRINT"HH"
FOR 1=1 TO 5
: PRINT MID$'::T*,I*5-4,5::<,D*a::'
NEXT I
GET A*: IF A* OCHR* (13) THEN 3200
CLOSE 1
RETURN
REM ** SET RECORD NUMBER **
p:f-="P ,, +CHP*>:'.96+2:<
P*=P*+CHR*<R AND 255>+CHRf <R.-'256 l
P$=P*+CHR*<1 >
PRINT#15,P*
RETURN
REM ** READ THE ERROR CHANNEL **
INPUT#15,D3,E2*,E3,E4
IF DSOO AND DSO50 THEN PRINT DS,E2*
RETURN
*
*
Important message to all
BBS users
The TPUG BBS has
moved again!
The new telephone number is, . .
(416)782-9534
Its operating hours are. . .
24 hours per day.
7 days per week.
The password is. . .
Humidity
*
*
page 20 TPUG magazine
tUeue Gd
Veepk Toteg
REVIEWERS SAY:
"This is the best typing tutor
we have seen yet; ••••+"
INFO-64 I TTPOTG TUTOR
"Computer aided instruction at
its best." Commander
"This is an excellent program
that makes typing practice an
enjoyable pastime instead of
boring drudgery."
DILITHIUM PRESS
Rated the BEST educational
program for the VIC 20
Creative Computing
CUSTOMERS SAY:
". . . delighted with my son's
progress ... he is the only one in his second grade class
who touch types at the computer."
"Your Typing Tutor is an excellent program . . . our 4
children literally wait in line to use it."
"Thoroughly satisfied, can't believe how fast I've learned to
type. I've never typed before."
In daily use by schools across the USA.
TYPING TUTOR + WORD INVADERS
Commodore 64 T T Tape $21.95
Commodore 64 T " Disk $24.95
VIC 20™(unexpanded) Tape $21.95
REALISTIC AIRCRAFT RESPONSE
"Has a quality of realism which
sets it apart from others, even
those I've tested in flight school."
Compute's Gazette
"Great program!" INFO-64
"It is tremendous fun."
Compute's Gazette
"Flight tested by an air traffic
controller, two skilled pilots and
an elementary school class.
Highly recommended by all."
Midnite Gazette
"This is an unbelievably realistic
simulation of the difficulties
facing a pilot in instrument fly-
ing. I'm a 747 pilot and I think that this simulation could do
a lot to improve the reactions and instrument scan habits
of even very experienced pilots." 747 pilot
IFR (FLIGHT SIMULATOR)
Commodore 64™ Tape or Disk $29.95
VIC 20™(unexpanded) Cartridge $39.95
JOYSTICK REQUIRED
"^g^ Shipping and handling $1.00 per 'dMK
^^^m order, CA residents add 6% tax. iwP
ACADEIiW
SOFTWARE
P.O. Box 6277 San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-0850
Programmers: Write to our New Program Manager concerning
any exceptional Commodore 64 program you have developed.
WAT
Products for the Commodore 64
Waterloo Structured BASIC
Already widely used on the Commodore PET,
the package augments the standard BASIC with:
• Structured Programming Statements :
programs can be written with proper style.
• Procedures : eliminate the use of GOSUB;
instead CALL named procedures
• Additional Commands : increased ease of use
with AUTO, DELETE and RENUMBER
commands
Each package contains:
• cartridge containing software
• comprehensive textbook containing both a
primer and a reference manual
Price: $99.00; $79.00 for additional packages in
same order
WATCOM Pascal
This interpreter supports the full ANSI standard
Pascal (with one omission) and features:
•
integrated full-screen editor
interactive debugger
support for printer, disk and cassette
graphics library
peek and poke functions
Each package contains
• cartridge and disk containing the software
• comprehensive textbook containing both a
primer and a reference manual
Price: $149.00; $99.00 for additional packages in
same order
Ordering Information
Order forms and/or additional information may
be obtained from:
WATCOM Products,
415 Phillip Street,
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada, N2L 3X2
(519) 886-3700
Telex: 06-955458
Additional textbooks are also available. Seminars
on Pascal and BASIC are offered regularly.
TPUG magazine page 21
THE BEGINNER AND THE DISK - Part IV
David A. Hook
Barrie, ON
We proceed with the series designed to address elementary disk
handling techniques. Part I (June issue) looked at diskette care,
formatting and initializing. Part II (July issue) introduced the
DOS Wedge, disk error checking, and the BASIC 4.0 disk com-
mands (found on PET/CBM, and also as part of VIC 20/C-64
"extensions"). Last issue, we concentrated on loading and saving
programs, and mentioned "wild cards" and "pattern matching".
This month, we'll continue the discussion of DOS (Disk Operating
System) features with a look at VALIDATE and SCRATCH.
To demonstrate what is happening, we need an example, so let's
use the following disk "directory" to work from:
'DATA DISK FOUR
" D4 2A
20
"ACCOUNT.A"
PRG
12
'ACCOUNT.B"
PRG
8
"ACCOUNT.C"
PRG
11
"ADD.CUST"
PRG
11
"ADD.INDX"
PRG
42
"ACC.CUST"
PRG
23
"ACC.INDX"
PRG
12
"RATAFRATZ"
PRG
11
"RATATATZ"
PRG
8
"ADMIN. Al"
PRG
16
"ADMIN. Bl"
PRG
37
"STATS. PRG"
PRG
14
"STATS.TXT"
PRG
20
"STATS. INS"
PRG
13
"ADDITION"
PRG
1
"FILE"
SEQ
"MESSED UP"
*PRG
405 BLOCKS FREE.
As a refresher, this was obtained with:
LOAD "$0",8 (directory is a PROGRAM)
>I0 (using the WEDGE utility)
@$0 (alternate WEDGE command)
CATALOG DO (BASIC 4.0 command only)
DIRECTORY DO (alternate with BASIC 4.0)
Only in the first example would you have lost the current program
in memory. It was a LOAD command, remember! That's why you
have become a devoted "WEDGER", isn't it? (See Part II for more
evangelism on this topic).
Anyway, this is the "disk" that we will be using to show the effects of
some of the DOS exercises. Refer back to the above directory to
study what has taken place after each exercise below.
Validate
Occasionally this disk command gets described as "verify", which
is unfortunate. Confusion with the BASIC command of this name
would make my description futile. So, excise "verify" from your
mind, and concentrate on VALIDATE. And don't think this is an
obscure command that you will never need!
The directory above needs an application of the VALIDATE
medicine. Where, you say? Look at the last entry, the one with the
nasty "*" in front of the "PRG" designation. We have here an
unclosed file, a ticking time bomb, as I may have said at least once
before. Its file size is zero blocks — another flag that something is
amiss. The attempted SAVE of the program failed, perhaps due to
disk drive problems, a diskette flaw or a "DISK FULL" situation.
With a data file, it's possible that you aborted the operation with-
out closing the file. (Since we haven't mentioned data files yet,
that's a topic for a future discussion).
In any case, until you have done something with the problem, you
won't be able to SAVE any more programs on the disk, so you
should be satisfied that fixing this problem is the first order of
business. But how, you say? Why not just SCRATCH this program
and be done with it? Well, for two reasons:
1. You don't know what SCRATCH is!
2. You don't want to cause even more problems i
r ith that diskette.
While the first reason is somewhat frivolous (and will be rectified
later in this session), the latter is important. There is only one
proper way to eliminate an unclosed file from a diskette: the
VALIDATE command.
OPEN 15,8, 15
PRINT#15, "V0"
CLOSE 15
>V0or
@vo
(all machines)
(assume Drive #0)
(with the WEDGE)
COLLECT DO (BASIC 4.0 only)
The letter "V" as part of a DOS command is an acceptable abbrevia-
tion for us clumsy folks. Only in the first case do you need to
explicitly OPEN and CLOSE the "command channel" (see Part I of
the series) to perform a DOS command.
I'll pause a moment while you rifle through your disk collection,
trying to find that bum disk to work with. . . With our example disk,
performing the VALIDATE takes a couple of moments (on the
1541). When the red activity light goes out, the process is complete.
Fetching the disk directory now will show that "MESSED UP" has
disappeared. It is entirely possible that the "BLOCKS FREE" line
will show a different (and larger) number. This depends on what
caused the original error. Here, the number doesn't change.
Anyhow, what's going on?
The VALIDATE command serves to "clean up" the disk BAM
(Block Availability Map). As you recall, the operating system
needs to keep track of which sectors have been used, in order to do
its job properly. An unclosed file causes some sectors (of the
"incomplete" file) to get "allocated" improperly. What we want to
do is free up all the sectors first. Then look at all the "properly"-
used sectors (those that are actually part of full programs and data
files). Mark those as being used, or "allocated". Then calculate the
new total that is available, and keep that one. So, only the sectors
that are used are shown that way, and our unclosed file quietly
vanishes into the night.
VALIDATE works by skipping through the pointers that "link"
the sectors of a program together. If you choose to SCRATCH that
unclosed file instead, there is a distinct probability that you can
mess up a totally unrelated program. (For the technically-inclined
page 22 TPUG magazine
only: the pointers in the unclosed file could link up to a chain from
another "active" program. This causes sectors of that program to be
"freed" erroneously). You may not discover the mess until some-
time later, when you try to LOAD the affected program, and the
computer just crashes on you. Hence, the ticking bomb label.
Amidst all this wonderfulness, there is a caution with VALIDATE:
There is a certain type of data file, rarely used, that does not show
in the directory. These "direct-access" files were used in the early
PET days, before "relative" files were included in the DOS. A
VALIDATE command done on such a disk will "free" the sectors
where this information lies. Then a "write" to the disk will likely
destroy the data right away. If you don't use commercial business
software, it's unlikely that you will bump into this class of files. To
be on the safe side, count the total number of blocks (free and used).
If they total 664, you're not affected. It's a minor factor, but I
thought it should be mentioned.
If you remember nothing else from this lesson: don't SCRATCH
those unclosed files from a disk; VALIDATE the disk!
Scratch
Now that you have been converted (baptism available at additional
cost), it's time to introduce this very useful DOS command. You
may have a disk with scads of unwanted programs. You may wish
to dispose of an old version, in order to SAVE the current version
of a program — using the identical filename of the "old" version-
Suffice to say that there is a frequent need to get rid of a file from a
disk. This is where the SCRATCH command comes in. I think that
most everyone feels a little uneasy when the time comes; perhaps
some practice will ease the anxiety.
A little digression to deal with disk compatibility is in order. The
various Commodore DOS types allow you to read disks that were
prepared on 1540, 1541,2040,2031 and4040drives interchangeably.
Unless you know for sure on which disk drive that disk was "formatted",
you ought not to perform any write operation on it. This includes:
SAVE, VALIDATE, SCRATCH, COPY, and RENAME (plus writ-
ing data to files with "PRINTtt" instructions, which we haven't
covered yet). When in doubt, don't do it — use a copy utility program.
COPY-ALL and UNICOPY, both by Jim Butterfield, are the pro-
grams I use for this job. Part I of this series has lots of command-
ments like this that you can adopt as your very own guidelines.
(Editor's Note: There is a rumour that some 1541'$ write disks slightly
differently than do others. To be on the safe side, don't perform any
"write" operation on a disk unless it was formatted on the actual drive
which you are using).
Let's refer to our example disk, and say that we wish to eliminate
the program named RATAFRATZ from the disk. Here's the vari-
ous ways it can be done:
OPEN 15, 8, 15 (all machines)
PRINT#15, "SOrRATAFRATZ"
CLOSE 15
>S0:RATAFRATZ
@S0:RATAFRATZ
(with the WEDGE)
SCRATCH "RATAFRATZ", DO (BASIC 4.0)
The "0" designation refers to Drive #0 of a dual drive system. You
may leave it out with a single drive unit, but it doesn't hurt to
include it. Note that Commodore BASIC 4.0 has the SCRATCH
command built into the BASIC language interpreter. Once again,
the WEDGE sequence is shorter to enter, and hence easier to use.
continued overleaf
WAT
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
Special Weekend Sessions
For Microcomputer Users
Hardware Design and Interfacing
• Get over the fear of handling circuits and
chips.
• Understand what happens inside the micro.
November 23-25, 1984 - Waterloo
Pascal for Microcomputers
• Learn one of the most popular and powerful
languages.
• Structured Programming is emphasized.
November 16-18, 1984 - Waterloo
WATCOM is the developer of language systems
for the C64, SuperPET, IBM PC, ICON and has
been offering computing workshops for over a
decade.
Call Sharon Malleck at
(519) 884-2700 or mail the
coupon for a detailed brochure.
WATCOM Seminars
415 Phillip Street
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3X2
Send more information on the following
workshops:
_ Hardware Design and Interfacing
_ Pascal for Microcomputers
Name:
Address:
City,Province:
Postal Code:
Telephone: ( _ _ )
TPUG magazine page 23
You can use pattern matching, but do so with extreme care. For
example: in a moment's weakness you divine that scratching all
files starting with "RATA" will do the job. So you try:
>S0:RATA*
(WEDGE only)
With a large disk directory, you may not have noticed that
RATATATZ was also on the disk, and a check of the error channel,
with:
@ or
>
(WEDGE only)
Gives the following message (if you did it this latter way):
01, FILES SCRATCHED,02,00
That signals that two files have been removed. Try not to outsmart
yourself— I've made this mistake a number of times. (The comfort
of being able to look inside the system and "unscratch" them was
not a consolation for the stupidity).
Since the pattern matching and wild card features can be useful,
let's take some examples from our disk. We wish to scratch the first
three entries from the current directory. Here is a trick that I use to
check before I perform the scratch, when using these features.
Display the disk directory first:
LOAD "$0:ACCOUNT.:^, 8 (AS A PROGRAM)
>$0:ACCOUNT.? (with the WEDGE)
@$0:ACCOUNT.?
Note that there is no version of the BASIC 4.0 CATALOG or
DIRECTORY command that you can use to display a "selected"
version of a directory. This was an error or an oversight in the
interpreter design by Commodore. The designers of the BusCard
(Batteries Included) and the C-64 LINK (Richvale Telecommuni-
cations) both rectified this in their firmware. If you don't have
these "extensions", then you'll have to resort to the above tech-
niques to do this.
The question mark in the filename is the "wild card" symbol, and
means that all filenames starting with "ACCOUNT.", and fol-
lowed by exactly one character, will be included. Display of the
directory will show only the three files we want. Now slide the
cursor back up to the directory command line (WEDGE version)
and change the "$" to an "S" (and hit "RETURN"). When the
cursor returns, the three files will be gone. The directory now
looks like this:
'DATA DISK FOUR"
D4 2A
11
"ADD.CUST"
PRG
11
"ADD.INDX"
PRG
42
"ACC.CUST"
PRG
23
"ACC.INDX"
PRG
8
"ADMIN. Al"
PRG
16
"ADMIN. Bl"
PRG
37
"STATS. PRG"
PRG
14
"STATS.TXT"
PRG
20
"STATS.INS"
PRG
13
"ADDITION"
PRG
1
"FILE"
SEQ
(with the WEDGE)
Now, I want to get rid of the two eight-character file names ending
with "INDX". These are the various ways:
OPEN 15,8, 15 (all machines)
PRINT#15, "SO.-.^iVlNDX"
CLOSE 15
>S0:????INDX
@so:^?;tndx
scratch "????indx", do (basic 4.0)
In the next case, I wish to scratch the program ADDITION. The
directory command (WEDGE only):
@$0:AD*
yields:
'DATA DISK FOUR"
D4 2A
11
"ADD.CUST"
PRG
8
"ADMIN.A1"
PRG
16
"ADMIN. Bl"
PRG
13
"ADDITION"
PRG
502 BLOCKS FREE.
This is definitely more than intended. With a single file, it's often
clumsier to use wild cards and pattern matching. Just type in the
whole filename, and be done with it.
For the final example, let's eliminate all the "STATS" programs.
The customary directory command:
>$0:STATS*
gives:
"DATA DISK FOUR"
D4 2A
37 "STATS. PRG"
PRG
14 "STATS.TXT"
PRG
20 "STATS.INS"
PRG
515 BLOCKS FREE.
This is what we want, so cursor up to the WEDGE command,
change the "$" to "S" as before, and the three will be gone from the
directory. Our final directory looks like this:
"DATA DISK FOUR"
D4 2A
11 "ADD.CUST"
PRG
42 "ACC.CUST"
PRG
8 "ADMIN.A1"
PRG
16 "ADMIN. Bl"
PRG
1 "FILE"
SEQ
586 BLOCKS FREE.
468 BLOCKS FREE.
I hope that the above exercises have been helpful. Please forward
any correspondence through the Editor. Your comments and sug-
gestions for future columns are welcome. While the letters received
thus far have been mainly from "advanced" users, don't be shy
about elementary topics. That's what this series is supposed to be
about. TPUG;
Note to Mr. T. Traub: your array example program worked perfectly
for me, on both a PET and a C-64. I got no "FOR NEXT" errors,
using the exact syntax you used. Sorry!
To Be Continued. . .
page 24 TPUG magazine
-Introducing
commodore
reference diary
Jim Butterfield
Comm o d tum
.the answer for
Commodore
enthusiasts
— a combination
computer
reference book
and date book!
The Commodore Reference Diary is both a
computer reference book and date book — the
perfect combination for computer enthusiasts.
In a convenient, pocket-sized format, the
Commodore Reference Diary features a whole
week per page spread in a clear, uncluttered
format allowing plenty of room for those
important. daily notations.
The unique computer reference section features
a complete listing of major computer shows
across North America and Europe for 1985, plus
extensive computer programming material and
terminology, written by computer expert Jim
Butterfield, is included for the Commodore 64,
Vic 20, PET/CBM Series, B-Series, and Commo-
dore 264 and 364* Memory lay-outs, screen
codes, useful short programs, the machine
language instructional set, kerna! subroutines,
and much more!
To tirder, fill out this handy coupon and return
to: TPUG Magazine, 1912A Avenue Road, Suite 1,
Toronto, Ontario, M5M 4AI, (416) 782-1861
Please send me copy/copies of the Commodore Reference Diary 1985,
141565, at $6.95 each.
Add 5% for shipping and handling per order.
1 enclose Cheque. Money Order (No COD's or cash),
Charge VISA, Mastercard.
Province Postal Code
Price is subject to change without notice.
141565
$6.95
Copp Clark Pitman Ltd., 495 Wellington Street West, Toronto Ontario M5V 1E9 (416) 593-9911
The Commodore B-128 Computer
Jim Butterfield
Toronto, ON
Copyright ©1984 Jim Butterfield. Permis-
sion to reprint is hereby granted, provided
this notice is included in the reprinted
material.
Commodore's B series computers have been
coming for a long time. Now they have
arrived — but not in Canada — and prom-
ise to have a brief but glorious lifetime. In
the United States, they are being sold as
part of a very attractively-priced package
by Protecto Enterprises (Box 550, Barring-
ton, IL 60010). In Europe, there are a num-
ber of them on hand (they are called 700
series there); their sales situation isn't clear
to me at this end.
The B briefly emerged about a year ago; a
number of machines leaked out to con-
sumers. There was also a C machine, recalled
by Commodore, which will not be available.
Because of the unavailability of B-128 com-
puters in Canada, it may be hard for TPUG
to act as an information centre on these
machines. Programs and information can
be circulated as available, but no facilities
will exist to check these in Toronto.
B-128 Hardware
The B-128 is low-slung and stylish; it
requires an external monitor. The screen
is 80 columns by 25 lines, similar to the
8032, 8096, 8296 and SuperPET. No color
or high resolution video is available. The
style is still that of a Commodore machine,
with screen editing taking place in the same
way.
Connection to disk and printer is via an
IEEE-488 bus identical to that of PET/CBM.
Standard Commodore IEEE peripherals
attach normally. Cassette tape software is
not in place, making the B-128 a disk-
oriented system. There's an RS-232 interface,
using- the standard RS-232 connector. With
an ACIA chip built in, good communica-
tions can be achieved.
The 6509 processor is a close cousin of the
6502. It can access "banks" of 64K memory
via special registers mapped at addresses
and 1, allowing 128K of memory (or in
principle, even more) to be accessed.
The Keyboard
There's a big keyboard, complete with a
numeric keypad and function keys. It's a
change from previous Commodore layouts,
and very close to the standard ASCII form.
There are lots of keys. Separate CTRL
(Control), ESC (Escape) and "Commodore"
keys make special functions easier to im-
plement. Cursor movement keys are sepa-
rated from the main keyboard, and there
are now four of them, so that no "shift" is
needed. Display and program control keys
are also neatly segregated.
The numeric pad includes a double-zero
key and a CE (Clear Entry) key, which
wipes out an entire number you might have
entered. There's also an extra RETURN
key marked ENTER. There are ten func-
tion keys, which can be used together with
the SHIFT key to generate twenty functions.
The first ten are predefined; the moment
you turn the power on, they may be used.
Any of the twenty can be re-defined by the
user at any time.
There are twenty-six "escape" sequences
(ESC, followed by a letter of the alphabet)
which do useful screen configuration jobs
such as setting up windows.
Big BASIC
BASIC is upwardly compatible with previ-
ous Commodore BASIC implementations.
All previous BASIC commands and
functions — including the 4.0 disk com-
mands such as CATALOG, DLOAD and
SCRATCH — are in place. Many new lan-
guage features have been added.
But BASIC programs saved from a B-128
may be difficult to load to another Com-
modore machine, due to "zero page chain-
ing". The relocating loader on the C-64
thinks the first line is the end of the program.
This difficulty may be resolved wiith a sim-
ple utility program; for example, MERGER
from the TPUG library or from COMPUTE!
October 1983, page 144, will do the trick.
PRINT USING (and the associated
PRINTftn USING) allows information to
be printed neatly. For example, PRINT
USING "#,###,###. ##";9876.789 will cause
9,876.79 to appear neatly aligned within
the space provided.
Memory is arranged in "banks" of 64K each.
You may pick a bank with the BANK
command; this will affect commands such
as PEEK, POKE, SYS, LOAD or SAVE;
but you'll need to know what you're doing
to find your way around in this vast memory.
Machine language "boot" programs will
use BLOAD and BSAVE commands, to-
gether with complex "transfer sequences",
to allow the various banks to intercommu-
nicate.
Error trapping is implemented to allow
the programmer to catch problems as the
program runs. Strings are 4.0 type — in other
words, there's no problem with garbage
collection delays.
BASIC is generally noticeably faster. Be-
tween the faster clock speed of the 6509
chip, the IEEE bus and the elimination of
the garbage collection, users will find this a
speedy machine.
There's a reset switch at the back of the
machine which does a "warm start"; in case
of emergency, you'll be able to recover your
program.
The 6509
The 6509 chip can address more mem-
ory — in theory, up to over a million bytes.
But it works much like a 6502, which has
addresses that can reach only 64K of mem-
ory. How do we get all of memory? By
"bank selection" — a process by means of
which the computer can select one of sev-
eral 64K slices, or "banks".
Bank selection is a machine language fea-
ture, and comes in two flavors. The easy
part is data selection; we can change how
the indirect load and store commands work.
The two commands LDA (xx),Y and STA
(xx),Y have been modified slightly so that
they load data from or store data to a selected
bank of memory. The bank is selected by
the contents of address 1.
It works this way. If, in machine language,
I store a value into address 1, the LDA,
indirect indexed, and STA, indirect in-
dexed, will now draw data from whatever
bank I have specified. For example:
LDX #$02
STX $01
LDA (. . . ),Y
will cause data to be loaded into the A
register from bank 2, since we have stored a
value of 2 into address 1.
page 26 TPUG magazine
To make a transition to a new bank, using
address 0, we need very careful coding that
is "synchronized" between the new bank
and the old one. This coding is available
— it's called "transfer sequences" — it han-
dles all the details so that you don't need to
know all the technical trivia that makes it
all work.
Software Availability
Because the B-128 is likely to have a much
smaller user community, programs written
specifically for this machine will be in lim-
ited supply. But many BASIC programs
will load directly from other Commodore
machines without any need to be adapted.
Programs with machine language content,
however, are unlikely to run without signifi-
cant change. Many utilities will be initially
unavailable; it seems likely that special inter-
est groups of users will have to develop
them for themselves.
There is some custom software available;
what IVe seen of it looks good. I'd advise
users who think they might need the soft-
ware to buy it now, since it might become
hard to get.
The B-128 contains a machine language
monitor with extra features designed for
the new architecture. Adding extra moni-
tor features, such as a tiny assembler, is
possible; but it's not a simple adaptation of
existing monitor extenders such as SUPER-
MON, since the MLM has a different style.
Information Sources
Commodore is rumored to be preparing a
reference guide for the B-128; if so, that
will be a valuable source of data.
I have published memory maps of RAM
and ROM for the B-128 in The Transactor
magazine. The Great Reference Issue is
long since out of print, but it will be pub-
lished again soon. {The Transactor, 500
Steeles Avenue, Milton, Ontario, Canada
L9T 9Z9).
There's a brief description of the B-128,
plus an appendix giving a RAM memory
map, in my book Machine Language for the
Commodore 64 and Other Computers (Brady
Communications, Bowie, MD 20715, $12.95).
The B-128 is something of an exception in
the Commodore line; in the book, I sug-
gest that it's not the best machine for begin-
ners to use when learning machine language.
Even so, the map and description is there;
and in the disk which optionally accom-
panies the book, I give an example of a
B-128 program complete with boot and trans-
fer sequences.
My "Commodore Diary 1985" (Copp Clark
Pitman Ltd., 495 Wellington Street West,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 1E9) is
space-limited; but I did jam in an "archi-
tectural sketch" and an abridged memory
map of the B-128.
B-128 information is a problem area. It
seems likely that the total population of
this computer will be less than ten thou-
sand (as compared to millions of VIC 20's
or Commodore 64's). As a result, there's
limited profitability potential for books or
software written specifically for this machine.
Users will need to take care of themselves
Yet it's part of the Commodore family, with
many features in common with other ma-
chines. And I feel sympathetic towards users
and potential buyers who want more data.
Bottom Line
If you rate the things you like about a
computer, the B-128 comes high on the list.
It looks good. It has a fine keyboard. It's
fast. It has lots of memory. Its BASIC lan-
guage is very good. The B-128 has many
convenience features, from screen controls
to the reset button.
But there won't be many of them. A B-128
user will be something of an orphan — left
to his or her own resources for many things.
There won't be much software out there;
there won't be many books.
Many BASIC programs will adapt nicely.
Machine language programs will mostly
need some re-chopping ... at least, if you
want to take advantage of the extra mem-
ory space.
The B-128 is late. When it was first shown,
IBM wasn't seriously entrenched in the
personal computer market. Now we have
different concepts of what a "big" machine
is, and the B-128 has lost some of its novelty
and glamor.
It's a good machine at an astonishingly
attractive price. But you are on your own a
little more than you would be with other
Commodore machines. Is this the machine
for you? Could be. . . if you're a little more
independent than the average user. TPUG
TPUG magazine page 27
C-64 M/L Development System
J. Allan Farquharson
Paris, ON
MICOL SYSTEMS is offering the user a
chance to develop machine language on
the Commodore 64 computer. Included you
will find an editor, assembler and a monitor.
An editor is usually a simple word proces-
sor in essence. The assembler is the pro-
gram which puts together the machine code
made from the mnemonic code which most
programmers use to write longer programs.
That sounds involved, but if you write in
BASIC or another language you know that
subroutines and other code are put together
to produce the program which collectively
will do the job that it is written to do. Since
machine code is rather lengthy, but very
rapid, many subroutines are usually kept
to do all the little jobs you wish to do over
and over again. The monitor is a machine
language program which allows one to look
at various parts of memory in the com-
puter and allows one to manipulate the
code found there. Older Commodore ma-
chines had a monitor built-in, but the C-64
comes free of any such handy device.
Before I am flogged to death, I hasten to
mention that VIC 20 owners too may use
this system. Most systems do not have a
manual which is a tutorial on how to write
computer machine code. The manual pro-
vided is no exception. It is thorough, but
not a complete explanation for those who
have never written any machine code before.
Many books abound on the subject. You
may wish to use both another text of your
choice and this system, if you are a beginner.
Seventy-three pages long, the manual is
reasonably complete. 1 must admit to a bias
which says that manuals should be stan-
dard 8'V X 11" size and in pica-size print.
This one is smaller, but the print is readable.
Both cassette and disk owners may use this
assembler. I suspect most will turn to disk
before long because it is more convenient,
especially when storing various routines
for later retrieval.
The disk may be backed up. I recommend
you do so, and use the original for backup
and a copy for daily use. Never begin with-
out some backup. Having no useable copy
is no fun! By the way, the system assumes
you use a single disk drive. (Some people,
like myself, use dual drives through an
interface to the C-64).
Once loaded into the computer, you may
work without loading other programs into
the computer separately. A menu takes over
this chore for you.
This system offers you some excellent facili-
ties to write code. Generally a person writ-
ing any lengthy material will want to keep
on file his/her "source file" which will pro-
vide comments on what each routine is
doing and by which the code may be changed
or modified at a later date. The editor will
permit one to load the code and change it
at will. "Object Code" is awkward to work
with as it must be disassembled to make
sense. Changes in code produce an immedi-
ate crash, most times.
Among the handy dandy features are: con-
version from binary to hexadecimal, hexa-
decimal to decimal, and so on. The text
editor allows one to add lines, delete lines
and copy lines. A textfile may be loaded
from and saved to both disk or tape. One
may examine the disk directory, find a string
in a file, replace a stringwith another string
and list part or all of a file.
A MEM command tells one how many bytes
are used in a file, number of lines defined
and the file name, if any, on disk. Disk
commands may be sent to the disk from the
editor. This is convenient. Listing thecode
to the printer is easy.
Strings may be replaced by other strings.
This allows many occurrences of a single
item to be replaced throughout the whole
source code.
The usual format is observed for assembly.
A line begins with a label, if used, followed
by the op code, address field and then
comments, if any. Pseudo-codes are avail-
able. Where a program is long, the com-
puter may get files from disk by a CHN
(chain) command. BYT allows the program-
mer to insert numbers in decimal, hex,
octal, or binary. Thissimplifies entry with-
out looking up the binary values.
Conditional code may be written using an
IF. . . ELSE construct. You might want
different code for, say, a 22, 40, or 80 col-
umn machine. Another idea is EXP, which
allows you to expand the parameters for a
pseudo-op which may vary in different
places. Equates are available to set fixed
memory locations.
One can list to the screen or printer during
assembly; or neither, for faster operation.
One may nest macros. This is a nice touch.
Assembly may go to memory or disk. One
need not worry if the same address is speci-
fied for the code in memory as is occupied
by the assembler. It writes somewhere else
during assembly. I remember one system I
once used. It wrote all over itself. Needless
to say, this didn't work for long!
Portions of memory may be reserved for
later inclusion of a number of bytes by a
command. One may wish to insert a special
table somewhere at a later date. This func-
tion then would be useful.
ASCII data is generated from the ASCII
letters directly, when between quotes in
one command. This is terrific! Now you
may write some clever words to the screen
and not have to figure out the hex code for
each number or letter. Let me see. . . P is
$50 and R is ??? You just write it: 'PRINT
YOUR NAME' and out comes the code!
Very nice. Good thinking went into this
assembler. I could get to like it very much.
For dummies like me a handy command,
WOR, allows me to place a two-byte hex
code in the machine and it writes it out, low
byte, high byte. SFFD2 then becomes D2
FF in the order which the 6502 needs it.
Not essential, but a nice touch. Incidentally,
a comment may be added to a line by leav-
ing a space after the code. No need to write
a semi-colon. Good for lazy people.
I am glad that I never make errors. My
code is always perfect. Perfectly awful, that
is! Errors are printed for everyone to see at
the end of the assembly. MICOL SYSTEMS
uses a two-pass assembler. This is usual for
most assemblers I have used. The first pass
writes l's on the screen, pass two writes 2's.
A symbol table may print at the end, if
desired together with the related addresses.
These are very useful. All I know is that
they save a lot of sweat.
Source files are stored on disk, or tape,
then called in when the assembler begins
its job. After assembly you are informed of
the total number of errors and the number
of lines processed.
A feature of this monitor, which is lacking
in some, is the inclusion of a disassembler.
This is neat to look at segments of code to
see what is going on. I know some smarties
read the hex code directly. But then I never
claimed to be Frank N. Stein. As with the
PET, you can load and save from this
monitor. TRACE and SINGLE STEP are
page 28 TPUC magazine
both included. Code may be moved to
another location as well. This includes a
relocation facility. Most moves will crash
without reworking them on relocation.
Very handy is the next idea: To debug
code, you can set break points. This stops
the program where you wish so that you
can try segments of code. In addition, you
will see all registers, flags and counters
when you "execute 1 ' this. Sometimes the
flags are set such that some code will not
run properly. Seeing the flags is an aid to
sanity.
I don't like the colour choice on the screen :
this is the usual default value when the
C-64 is turned on. I am sure this could be
changed. I like a bit more contrast, myself.
If you want to find text in some code, an
inspect command allows you to look through
the hex code and locate text; it is displayed
as the character instead of the hex code!
Sometimes looking for ASCII code can be
a pill. This makes it easy to spot.
Code may be run from the monitor. Make
sure you have a file copy somewhere in
case it crashes! I know someone that forgot
this once. You will too. So save the code in
a file first.
My reaction to this assembler is positive: I
like it. I understand the manual. A first-
time user may flounder a bit, but the man-
ual is clearly written in a forward manner.
I once read a manual for an assembler. On
page 38 it said: "now to begin." I begin on
page one, myself.
What I see as lacking in an otherwise excel-
lent system is a short tutorial to get one
started. A few practical examples of a typi-
cal assembly would enhance the manual
greatly, especially for beginners. The con-
cept of a macro is hard for some to grasp.
Macros are useful; one needs to get the
hang of them. I think the remedy is to
include a few print-outs of typical assem-
bly code from a source file. This was not
done. I hope future issues will include sev-
eral examples. They could be included as
files on the disk. The manual could men-
tion them and tell how to get to them and
execute the assembly.
Again I highly recommend this product. It
is sold by: Micol Systems, 100 Graydon Hall
Drive, Suite 2301, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada
MSA 3 A 9.
Ask for their MACHINE LANGUAGE DE-
VELOPMENT SYSTEM. For VIC 20 and
C-64 -tape and disk. TPUG
Supercharge Your
Programmi
Add far greater speed and versatility
to your C64® or VIC-20® with Micol
Systems' extraordinary new macro
assembler package - System M2000
Since machine language programs usually run 40-60
times faster than their BASIC counterparts, this inexpensive
package is like buying a more powerful computer at a fraction
of the cost. A professional system that even the novice will
find easy to use, it assembles kilobyte files in seconds and is
one of the most powerful macro assemblers available.
But it's more than just an assembler. Your programming will
be simplified with such well designed programming tools as an
Editor which has all the handy features allowing you to
create your programs easily and a machine language
Monitor, a sophisticated debugging tool and complete
man to machine language interface.
The package is 100% machine code and fully
copyable for your convenience. Available on disk
or cassette.
Available at finer computer outlets. For the dealer
nearest you call Toll Free 1-800-225-2774 (Capri Int'l
in the U.S. and (416) 736-4402 (Access) or
1-800-387-9758 (Softcom) in Canada.
Micol Systems, 100 Graydon Hall Dr.,
Suite 2301, Don Mills, Ont.
Canada M3A 3A9
MICOL REPLIES
We wish to thank Mr. Farquharson for his review
of the Micol Systems' Machine Language Devel-
opment System, Commodore 64 version.
We, at Micol Systems, listen with great interest
to feedback from our customers and critics. It is
for this reason we have just released Version 2.0
of the above-mentioned package. In keeping
with Mr Farquharson s suggestions, we now
include on the disk an example program which
is lavishly commented. The user is invited to
study, assemble and run this program to give
him/her an even greater insight into the devel-
opment of assembly language on the Commo-
dore 64.
In addition, it is now possible to change the
colour combinations of the screen to any of
fifteen colours the user might desire.
These are only two of the many improvements
we have included in version 2.0 for the Commo-
dore 64 disk only. An excellent product is now
even better Any purchaser of the original ver-
sion may obtain Version 2.0 by sending us $10.00
U.S. (SI 3.00 CAN) together with a copy of his
receipt to our Canadian address.
TPUG magazine page 29
Commodore 64™ Interface
Silicom Software is pleased to present, in conjunction with A.C. Concepts Inc. the following
professional quality computer products.
OCTOBUS T
A PET IEEE GPIB interface for the Commodore 64*
with these features:
— plugs directly into the cartridge expansion port.
— operates transparently with all software.
— has a standard PET IEEE edge connector.
— operates in basic 4.0.
—comes with 2 full featured utilities:— a powerful
machine language monitor— a flexible modem
program
— equipped with a switch which allows the user to
transfer between the IEEE and Commodore* serial
bus without affecting the computer's operation.
Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded.
Both products come with a warranty against
manufacturers defect. Discounts available for
quantity orders.
OCTOBUS PLUS 1
Has all of the capabilities of the OCTOBUS plus these
added features:
— a Centronics parallel printer port.
— includes a parallel printer cable.
— an 8-bit DIP switch which allows the user to specify
independently which devices are Commodore* serial,
Commodore* IEEE, or Centronics parallel.
To order send cheque, money order or Visa to:
(Ontario residents add 7% P.S.T.)
Silicom Software Inc. (416) 482-8136
Box 47 P.O. Box 2213 Postal Station "P"
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2T2
^Commodore and Commodore 64 are registered trademarks of Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
s
ATTENTION PROGRAMMERS
\
THE
0©
^ c
A DIVISION OF PAHNKE & DUFFY INTERNATIONAL INC.
IS LOOKING FOR NEW AND INNOVATIVE
SOFTWARE FOR THE COMMODORE 64!
IF YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING GAME OR
USEFUL PROGRAM NEAR COMPLETION,
COME TO US!!
WELL HELP TO PUT ON THE FINISHING
TOUCHES, PACKAGE, ADVERTISE AND
DISTRIBUTE YOUR HARD WORK, WHETHER
IT IS A NEW GAME, USEFUL UTILITY,
OR A BUSINESS APPLICATION.
YOU DO WHAT YOU DO BEST-
*** PROGRAMMING ***
WE DO WHAT WE DO BEST-
GETTING YOUR PROGRAM ON THE MARKET-
*** SELLING ***
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT:
(416)233-2259
ASK FOR DEAN BROWN (CANADIAN MANAGER)
THE SOFTWARE LAB
5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST
ISLINGTON, ONTARIO, M9A 1C4
\
PROUDLY CANADIAN!
/
THE SOFTWARE LAB
PRESENTS THE
DISK ASSISTANT
A POWERFUL AND EASY TO USE UTILITY
FOR INVESTIGATION AND MANIPULATION
OF DATA ON YOUR C-64 DISK.
THE DISK ASSISTANT SUPPORTS THE
FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS:
DISPLAYING: BAM
DISK DIRECTORY
SECTOR LINK
SECTOR IN HEX OR ASCII FORM
READING FROM AND WRITING TO THE DISK
DISK FORMATTING
ALLOCATING AND DE-ALLOCATING
POWERFUL EDITING
BUILT-IN QUICK COMMAND REFERENCE
AND MANY MORE USEFUL COMMANDS!
JUST $24.95 CAN./$19.95 US.
VISA/MASTERCARD/MONEY ORDER
PLEASE ALLOW 6-8 WEEKS DELIVERY
ONT. RES. ADD7%PST
THE SOFTWARE LAB*
5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST
ISLINGTON, ONTARIO, M9A 1C4
PHONE (416) 233-2259
PROUDLY CANADIAN!
*ADfV. OF PAHNKE & DUFFY INT. INC.
page 30 TPl/G magazine
Menu Handling - Part II
John Easton
Toronto, ON
To illustrate the concepts involved in menu creation, I am going to
take a walk through a simple menu-driven program or two. For
example, let's decide that we're planning to provide a variety of
programs to a mixed public audience. Furthermore, our director
wants some statistics, to back up the effectiveness of this demon-
stration. For instance, he wants to know what age groups are
interested in what programs, where these persons may be from and
perhaps the background of their interest — all the stuff that statisti-
cal reports are made of. The following program excerpts are from
various programs demonstrated at the Annual TPUG Conference
in illustration of the use of menus and statistical tracking of such
use. I believe that programs similar to these are available on a
Speakers' Disk — only the line numbers have been changed to pro-
tect the innocent.
BOOT
Let's start with a basic BOOT program. Regardless of where you
might like to go in the demo stuff, should you be required to keep
statistics, it will be necessary to clean up an area in memory to store
such statistical stuff — thus the BOOT program. This program
(traditionally the first one on the disk) checks to see what machine
we're currently running (basic to any BOOT program) and then in
this case prepares a Statistical Notepad in a convenient cassette
buffer. Finally, it asks for the statistical background material requested
by our statistics department.
On completion of its tasks it then conveniently loads the Main
Menu for us, and things proceed merrily from there till (hopefully)
our satiated user says he's had enough — at which time our Main
Menu program saves these important statistics to disk and we
arrive back at the BOOT to wipe the slate clean and start again. I
say hopefully because it is our experience that most casual passers-by
will hit a key or two, maybe select something from the menu — but
invariably, when they've had enough, will merely walk away,
leaving a rather cryptic message for the next user — PLEASE SELECT
YOUR CHOICE ARNOLD! A timing loop to intercept a pre-
determined time of null response (indicating that Arnold has gone
for coffee) I leave to you. Such a loop should be capable of closing
everything down in the Statistics department, as far as Arnold is
concerned, and returning to the BOOT to await the next happy
customer.
Rather than reproduce a tedious listing of typical menus, why
don't I just point out various conventions and aids that we've come
across over the years to make this chore a little less formidable? For
actual examples of programs, I would suggest you refer to the
Speakers' Disk for the May Conference — I believe most of the
example menu formats are reproduced there for your use and
adaptation.
So let's just pick up some of the program lines as we go — and I'll
explain them as we walk through a typical program:
10CL$ = CHR$(147):
It's usually a good idea to clear the screen before inflicting strange
Upper/Lower Case And/Or Graphics Modes upon your unsuspecting
user. I prefer to define it in this manner because it's more obvious
to some stranger who might be attempting to translate your CBM
BASIC to run in his TRS or Apple. CL$, for instance, looks very
similar to the command CLS in TRS BASIC — and will now oper-
ate in a similar manner. The equivalent in Applese is CALL -936:
but then, we all have to put up with some inconvenience.
15 POKE 50003,64:C = PEEK(50003):IF C=64 then 80:
Establish machine version by POKEing to an area that is ROM in
anything but a C-64. If the POKE 'takes' it must be a C-64. Incidentally,
this particular PEEK will also tell you which ROM version on the
GREEN MACHINE you may be working with:
IF C=0 THEN ROM = l, IF C=l THEN ROM=2, IF C = 160
THENROM = 4
35 IF PEEK(213) = 39 THEN 55:
Check for 80-column machine (an 80-column screen will return a
value of 79)
40 PRINT CL$;"(8 cursor-down)", "(reverse) Please re-load
after I have changed screens n
45 LOAD "CBM *",8
Load Chuan Chee's Screen Scrunch program to force a 40-column
screen, after which the simplest thing is to re-start the program,
and since we now have 40 columns, the program will skip this
portion of the program.
GREEN MACHINE SETUP
55 PRINT CL$:POKE 59468,14
Clear screen and set upper/lower case
60 POKE 42,0:POKE 43,41:CLR:
Set END-OF-BASIC pointers higher than any of the following
programs. This, in effect, will allow program chaining and parame-
ter passing since, from this point onward, your machine will think
it is running the same program (the largest one on the menu)
61 C = PEEK(50003):
Re-set 'C after clear
65 IFC = 160 THEN KEY=144:EN=85:DI=85+3:POKE KEY,DI:
Disable stop-key for ROM 4.0
66 EX = 64721 :IF C = 160 THEN EX = 64790 :
Breakout and machine re-set (ROM 2.0 &: 4.0) — note this is just a
way out so that, when necessary, you can break out of the program,
even though you've bulletproofed it thoroughly.
67 GOTO 110 (skip the C-64 stuff)
C-64 SETUP
80 PRINT CL$:PRINT CHR$(14)
Clear screen and set upper/lower case
81 PRINT CHR$(5):POKE 53280,6
Set white characters on blue background — the simplest C-64 text
format in my rather limited C-64 experience.
85 POKE 45,0:POKE 46,45:CLR:
Set END-OF-BASIC pointers high - you will note that this POKE
(to location 46) is 4, or a value of 1024 (4*256) higher than the
equivalent POKE in a GREEN machine — and that's the difference
in the location of your BASIC programs.
TPUG magazine page 31
90 C = PEEK(50003):
Rc-sct l C' after clear
95 KEY = 788:EN = 49:DI = EN+3:POKE KEY,DI:PRINT
CHRS(8}:EX = 64738:
Disable stop and reset keys and establish breakout location.
110 FOR I = 834 TO 907:POKE I,0:NEXT
If you're attempting" to keep statistics, here's where you clear a
bunch of "pigeonholes" sufficient in number to track all the data in
which you might be interested for the next pass through the programs.
This space is in a cassette buffer and since we're not planning to use
cassette, it's a handy spot for our "memo pad". Make sure that any
such location doesn't interfere with any fancy stuff that might be
included in following programs. (Editors Note: In PET/CBM 's, using
this part of the second cassette buffer is incompatible with use of BASIC 4.0
disk commands). The safest buffer for CBM owners would be in the
'First Cassette Buffer', with starting address of 634. Maximum
bytes in this casette buffer is 192.
Now we set up a few housekeeping-type variables to allow us
simpler code routines in the subsequent programs. You will note
that those defined variables we wish to preserve are concatenated
with a null ("") to force them into upper memory, away from the
destructive influence of program overlays.
(39 spaces)
( 39 half — graphic key )
120 BL$ = u
125 LNS = "
CHR$(249) or similar
130 SB$ = "(rvs) Press Space-Bar to Continue
135 RK$ = "(rvs) Press 'RETURN' Key when finished
All these 'prompt-type' messages are set to 39 characters to bypass
any possible line-wrap problems.
140 IF C = 160 THEN BEL$ = CHR$(7)
Ring bell on CBM machines used as a prompt (usually to signal
incorrect input). I'll leave the equivalent C-64 routine to you C-64
experts.
And finally, we'll set up vertical tabs in a manner similar to that
found on the Apple — greatly simplifies screen formatting and
prompt locations.
145 VT$ = "(home + 23 cursor-down)"
150 DIM VT$(24)
155 FOR I = 1 TO 24 : VTS(I) = LEFT$(VT$,I) : NEXT
Your VT$() variables will automatically build into upper memory.
OK — now that we've set up things, we might as well slick our
simple subroutines right near the beginning of each program.
NOTE : don't forget to bypass them in the main body of your
program with a line like:
160 GOTO 1000
continued on next page
Software for Commodore-64
COMPLETE EDfTOPtASSEMBLCM
PACKAGE FOH YOUH 94
ASTRO POSITIONS
display and print the position of the
sun and stars (one ire second accu-
racy) and the position of the moon
and the planets (one arc minute accu-
racy except for Pluto) for any date
in history
includes Users Guide. Introduction
to Positional Astronomy and Intro-
duction to Classical Astrology.
DISK 39.95
:DIT/ASM II
- DESIGNED TO HELP YOU CREATE
AND MODIFY 6502 Assembly Lan-
guage Programs on the Commodore
64 Computer.
ON SCREEN HELPSYSTEM to assist
you in using all commands available
add. assemble, calculate. delete. direc-
tory, disk, edit, find. help, insert, list
load, merge, new. plist. quit, and save.
DISK 28.95
DAISY
DAtabase information SYstem
one of- the comprehensive DATA-
BASE SYSTEMS for rhe 64
fully bilingual on screen
calculates, compute the contents of
numeric fields-add. subtract, mul-
tiply or divide against the defined
field usmg either constant value of
the contents of any other field in the
record. Virtual disk operation.
DISK 39.95
Powerful household finance —
Business system
eliminate inconvenient files confus-
ing tables and tedious calculations
store all your data on WORDS J.
CALCS spreadsheet
WORDS &CALCS will do your worx
for you in organizing, displaying
storing, printing and performing
calculations
DISK 33 °5
YES ! You CAN get quality software
at a reasonalbe price.
Write for our FREE catalog.
Money Order, Check, Visa or Mastercard. Dealer and distributor inquiries invited.
Suite 210,
5950 Cote des neiges
Montreal, Quebec H3S 1 Z6
Canada
page 32 TPUG magazine
We always need a simple GET or two -
************* Yes/No **************
200 GET R$:IF fl$ > " " THEN 200
210 GET 1=1$: IF R$ = "V" THEN RETURN
220 IF fl$ O "N" THEN PRINT BEL$:FOR 1=1 TO 100 :NEXT :G0T0 210
230 RETURN
*********** Space-bar *************
300 PRINT VT$<24>;SB*;
310 GET R$:IF R* > " " THEN 300
329 GET R$:IF R$ = CHR$<216> THEN SVS EX
#** Note - a simple way to break out with a. SHIFT/X character
330 IF R$ O CHR*<32> THEN PRINT BEL$:FQR 1=1 TO 180 : NEXT : GOTO
340 PRINT VT*C24.->;BL$;
350 RETURN
320
** Double-Get (any number to 99? **
400 GET R$:IF R* > " " THEN 400
410 GET R$:IF R$ = "" THEN 418
420 IF R$ = "0" THEN RETURN
*** note 420 allows for the convention o-F '0' to exit
430 R = VflL<fl*>:IF R < 1 OR R > 9 THEN PRINT BEL*:G0T0 410
*** note if input is to be limited to a maximum of say 15
then add the following optional intercept line.
to acknowledge only the possibility of one 'ten'" value.
435 IF R > 1 THEN RETURN
440 FOR I = 1 TO 600 : NEXT
450 GET R$:IF R* = " " THEN RETURN
460 R = <fl#10> + VflL<fl*>
470 RETURN
****** Rlpha STRING input *******
Note pr i or- to -access i ng this subr out i ne , it is presumed that you have pr i nted a
prompt at the bottom of the screen such as PRINT VT$<24>;RK*; - and further to
that, since this routine echoes your input by printing to the screen.- you will
ha^e returned the cursor to your current position on the screen by means of the
VT*< > arid TRBC 3 functions.
500 R*=""
510 GET RR$:IF RR* > " " THEN 510
520 GET RR$:IF RR* = "" THEN 520
530 IF RR$ = CHR^'T.IS^ THEN PRINT VT*C24} ;BL$; : RETURN
540 IF RR$ = CHR$<20> AND R* = " " THEN PRINT BEL*:GQT0 520
550 IF RR* = CHR*<:28? THEN PRINT " Ccursor- lef t blank cursor- left] "
R$ = LEFT^R* , LEN<fl*>-l> :G0T0 520
560 IF RSC'.'.RR*.^ < 65 OR RSGCflR*? > 90 THEN PRINT BEL*:G0T0 520
570 PRINT RR*;
580 R$ = R$ + RR$:G0T0 520
Note prior to accessing this subroutine, it is presumed that you
have printed a prompt at the bottom of the screen such as PRINT
VT"*(24);RK$; — and further to that, since this routine echoes your
input by printing to the screen, you will have returned the cursor
to your current position on the screen by means of the VT$( ) and
TAli( ) functions.
A FEW THOUGHTS IN PASSING:
The previous small subroutines are by no means to be taken as the
final word in programming techniques. On the contrary, as every-
one has his own style, merely build on this and compile your own
library of simple routines. Each of the above routines could bor-
row from others — for instance, you may or may not prefer to print
your input to the screen as it comes in: you may or may not prefer
to ring the bell on incorrect input (a flashing prompt may be more
effective in your estimation, or both). Some common ideas, though,
that you should be aware of include the 'keyboard buffer clear' as
exemplified, for instance, in line 510. Such a procedure assures us
that the input expected at least should somewhat resemble what we
get — otherwise, there is no telling how many times the keyboard
may have been inadvertently leaned upon during the previous
course of your fantastic program.
Also, any prompts printing to the bottom line are best held there
with a terminating semi-colon, else the screen may tend to scroll
up one line — and remember, any subsequent returns to the screen
must allow for cursor re-positioning.
There are two common ways to check for valid input — the VAL( )
or the ASC{ ) functions. VAL(A$) on line 430 will return the
numeric value only if the input was numeric — the VALue of other
characters is 0. An optional numeric input check might read as
follows : A = ASC(A$)-48 : IF A < OR A > 9 THEN ..(error).
Similar ASCII value 'filters' may be employed to check for any
specific character, or range of characters. TPUG
To Be Continued. . .
TPUG magazine page 33
THE WAIT
IS OVER
The Commodore 64™ COMAL 2.0 Cartridge
is being produced for Nov 84 delivery.
• Full 64K ROM Cartridge— 30K Free User Memory
• Empty socket for user EPROM (8K, 16K or 32K)
• LOCO' compatible turtle graphics (with abbreviations)
• Easy Sprite ANIMATION— Load, Save, Link Shapes
• interrupt driven Music— Full control of SID
• user definable fonts— Load, Save, Link Fonts
• Three different screen dumps in:
Hi-Res Graphics, Multi-color Graphics, Text
• Error Handler, External Procedures, Trace commands
• Protected input, Batch command File Capability
• Easily definable Function Keys
(i.e., F7 will RUN any program from a directory)
• Built in LINK command for Machine Code Routines
• HEX and BINARY accepted— ASCII conversion built in
All prepaid advance orders receive free:
• comal handbook, Second Edition (includes cartridge)
• introduction to 2.0 Built in Packages Book
(Graphics, Turtle, Sprites, Sound, Font, . . .)
• TWO different demo disks (1541 format)
• White custom molded case for disks and book
ALL FOR ONLY $99.95
(A S175 value— nearly half price)
Due to high demand orders will be filled on first come basis.
Send check or Money Order in US Dollars plus S3 handling to.-
COMAL USERS CROUP, U.S.A., LIMITED
5501 Croveland Ten, Madison, Wf 53716
phone: (608) 222-4432
visa and MC prepaid orders may call toll free: 1-800-356-5324
extension 1307
Commodore 64 Is a trademark of Commodore Electronics Ltd
NEW FOR HIGH SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS
IF A STUDENT WANTS TO
CHANGE HIS TIMETABLE . .
CAN YOU DO IT?
s es
>(0^
c^-
The WYCOR Class Scheduling
System lets you:
Add new students, change existing timetables.
Checks all available classes, class sizes.
Displays 32 best timetables that minimize class sizes.
Lets YOU pick the timetable.
Prints the new timetable.
Updates class size.
Prepares a teachers change list.
Other reports avaliable.
52
WYCOR BUSINESS SYSTEMS
170 The Donway West, Suite 401
Toronto, Canada M3C 2G3
Tel. (416) 444-3492
IF IT'S FOR
AND IT'S C
THE COMMODORE 64
iOOD, IT'S PROBABLY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 64
This integrated business program gives you the computer, power
once reserved for large corporations. Capabilities include invoicing,
inventory control, and customer mailing lists. Disk $69.95
FINANCE CALC 64
The leader in home and business financial analysis. You can have up
to 1 440 itemized expenses and print 1 085 different financial reports
and bar graphs. In addition, it keeps and compares as many as 12
budgets at once. Disk $ 49.95
DATA BASE 64
A perfect record system for any business or home. It can store up to
1 200 records and has up to 20 fields for each one. A special label and
report designer is included. It can also merge with popular word
processors. Disk $59.95
GAME DESIGNER 64
Use to animate 16 sprites and design colorful background screens.
Several game sub-routines included. Disk $39.95
STUDIO 64
Anyone can now create music as beautiful as the most advanced
programers could one year ago!! Just play and the computer will
instantly write the music on the screen. Included are powerful fea-
tures like plock move, single note editing and scrolling. It is the only
music synthesis program that allows you to make each note a different
waveform sound and octave. Add music to your own programs with
the Add Mus'ln adaptor. Disk $39.95
FAMILY PAK (3 IN 1) (ALL) $55.95
Three of the finest home programs available:
CHECKBOOK EASE 64
Handles over 1300 transactions. Prints statements, and all types of
checks, and 40 expense categories. $39.95
RECIPE FINDER
Searches by ingredient, category or name. Calculates measurements
for different serving amounts and prints copies. $29.95
SPACE MATH 64
Learn math, explore the universe, dance to the music and watch the
show with the only educational game that talks in an actual human
voice. $39.95
EXCLUSIVE CANADIAN DISTRIBUTORS- -S & <zR SntsxtlXJ
Add $2.00 for shipping & handling
Ontario residents add 7% sales tax.
• PEFFERLAW. ONT. - LOE 1 NO
CANADIAN DEALERS INQUIRIES INVITED.
CANADA - (705) 437-3^?.
NOTE; PROGRAMS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL PRINTERS AND UTILIZE FULL-SCREEN PROCESSING.
PRICES IN U.S. FUNDS
SAVE BIG ON COMPUTER PRODUCTS
page 34 TPUG magazine
TPUG COMAL COURSE - Part HI
Borge Christensen
Tonder, Denmark
In Parts I and II of this series (TPUG Magazine, July and August September 1984) Mr. Christensen discussed COMAL procedures,
variable-passing, recursion and conditional looping. In this article, he explores methods of branching .
5. HOW TO FIGURE OUT A STRING.
Clear the workspace and the screen and enter this function:
0010
FUNIC VALUE <T$>
0020
IMUM:=0
0030
FOR C:=l TO 8 DO
0040
IF T^CrO^'l" THEN
O050
BIT:=1
O060
ELSE
0070
BIT:=0
0080
END IF
0090
NUM:+NUM+BIT
0100
ENDFQR C
01.10
RETURN NUM
0120
ENDFUNC VALUE
0130
//
Type RUN and enter this command:
PRINT VALUE("00001000")
Note the number returned by the function. Then try these commands one by one:
;VALUEC000011H")
;VALUE("10000000")
;VALUE("11111111")
The character ";" may replace the keyword PRINT. I think you have figured out what the function is doing. In any case this is how
it operates:
PRINT VALUE{"000011H")
/
FUNCVALUE(TJ)
NUM:=0
F0RC: = 1T0 8D0
IFT$(C:C)-T'THEN
BIT: = 1
ELSE
BIT:=0
ENDIF
NUM.- + NUM + BIT
FNDFOR C
RETURN NUM
ENDFUNC VALUE
The function is called; i.e. you
ask for a number to be returned
and printed out.
The string "00001111" is passed
as a value to the formal
parameter T$.
A value of is assigned to NUM
The string held by T$ is scanned
character by character, and
if the C'th character is a 'T 1
BIT is assigned a value of 1,
but if it is anything else
BIT is assigned a value of 0.
The present value of NUM is
doubled and BIT is added to it,
thus the binary equivalent of
T$ is accumulated in NUM
whose value is returned to be
used in the calling statement
in the place of function.
End of definition of VALUE.
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 35
One of the statements in the FOR loop may need a little more attention:
1FT$(C:C)= ( T'THEN
The expression T$(C:C) returns a one character substring of TS, i.e. simply the C'th character of T$. K this character is equal to "I",
the Boolean expression in the IF statement comes out TRUE; otherwise it comes out FALSE. We shall have more to say about
substrings later in this article.
In COMAL the truth value TRUE is represented as a numerical I, and the truth value FALSE is represented as a numerical 0. This
fact can be utilized to simplify the function VALUE.
Remove the lines 40-80 by using the command:
DEL 40-80
and insert this one:
40BIT: = (T$(C:C)='T')
Type the command RENUM (don't forget to press <RETURN>) and then LIST to see the following on the screen:
OOIO FUNC VALUE (T*)
0020 NUM:=0
0C30 FOR C:=l TO 8 DO
004O BIT: = <T*<C:C>= n l " )
0050 NUM: +NUM+BIT
0060 ENDFOR C
0070 RETURN NUM
0080 ENDFUNC VALUE
0090 //
Note how the lines have been renumbered to become orderly sequenced. Type RUN and then use some calling commands like the
ones given above to test the function's working.
Since it is only tested whether an individual character is a "1" or not, other patterns than those applied before may be used. Try
commands like this:
;VALUE( u ABCDllir')
or simply
;VALUE(" 11 11") There are four blanks in the string
and note the results. Then change line 40 to become:
BIT: = (T$(C:C)="X")
Type RUN and try this command:
PRINT VALUE(" XXXX 1 ') There are four leading blanks.
Then try some of your own. What is the printout from this one:
PRINT VALUEC'TXPXUXGX")
It is an important fact that patterns can be evaluated in different ways. We are going to used this extensively in the following.
Important note. In revision 0.14 if an error occurs during a direct mode call of a function or a procedure, the prepass is injured.
Therefore in such case you have to restore the internal states by applying the RUN command before you can use the function or
procedure again. In revision 2.00 the prepass state recovers automatically after a runtime error.
As you may know already, a number written in eight bits — binary digits— is called a byte. So VALUE simply converts a string
that represents a byte into a decimal number.
page 36 TPifQ magazine
Enter the command
AUTO 100
and add this procedure to the one already in workspace:
OlOO PROC INTERPRET (LINE*)
0110 FOR I:=l TO 3 DO
0120 BYTE: =VALUE (LINE* (1*8-7: 1*8) )
0130 PRINT BYTE;
0140 ENDFOR I
0150 PRINT
0160 ENDPROC INTERPRET
0170 //
Type RUN and enter these commands (don't forget <RETURN> after each:
INTERPRETf'XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX") 24 chars, in all
INTERPRET^ 1 XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX ")
INTERPRETS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ")
Each string may be looked upon as a representation of three bytes; each "X" being a "1" and each blank being a "0". And each call
returns 3 decimal numbers, one for each byte.
Here is how INTERPRET works:
INTERPRETfXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX")
PROC INTERPRET(LINES)
FOR I: = l TO 3 DO
BYTE: = VALUE(LINE$(I*8-7:I*8))
PRINT BYTE;
ENDFOR I
PRINT
ENDPROC INTERPRET
Let us take a closer look at this line:
BYTE: = VALUE(LINE$(I*8-7:I*9)
If I is equal to 1, the substring LI NE$( 1:8) is pointed out, which means the first eight characters of the string that has been assigned to
LINES. This eight-character string is taken to VALUE for evaluation, and the result is assigned to BYTE. Next the substring
LINE$(9:16) is picked up, and finally the substring LINE$(17:24) for similar processing.
What do you get out of this command:
INTERPRETCEXTRA FOR YOUR NEXT XMAS")
Try to make an answer without using the computer; then compare with an actual run.
Change line 130-150 of INTERPRET and add some lines to the program to get:
The string constant is
passed as a value to the
parameter LINES, and the
value of LINES is then
divided in three substrings
each of which is passed on
to VALUE. The numerical value
returned is assigned to BYTE
and this BYTE is displayed.
A linefeed follows,
and all is done.
0010 FUNC VALUE (T*)
0020 NUM:=0
0030 FOR C:=l TO 8 DO*
0040 BIT: = (T* (C; C) =" X" )
0050 NUM : +NUM+B I T
0060 ENDFOR C
0070 RETURN NUM
OOSO ENDFUNC VALUE
0090 //
0100 PROC INTERPRET (LINES)
0110 FOR I:=l TO 3 DO
0120 BYTE: =VALUE (LINE* < 1*8-7: 1*8) )
0130 PRINT USING " ###": BYTE
1 40 VALUE * OF * TPUG : +BYTE
0150 ENDFOR I
0160 ENDPROC INTERPRET
0170 //
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 37
0180
DIM THISLINE* OF 24
0190
//
0200
VALUE' OF' TPUG: =0
0210
REPEAT
0220
READ THISLINE*
0230
INTERPRET (THISLINE*)
0240
UNTIL EOD
0250
PRINT " "
0260
PRINT USING "tttttttttt":
VALUE' OF' TPUG
0270
//
0280
DATA "XXXXX XXXXX X
X XXX
0290
DATA "X X XX
XX X "
0300
DATA "X X XX
XX
0310
DATA " X XXXXX X
XX XX "
0320
DATA "XX X
XX X "
0330
DATA "XX XXX XXX "
It is up to you to find out what currency is used, bi
it I can inform you that EOD means "End Of Data". It is a Boolean function that
returns a value of TRUE when the last item in a data queue has been read. The statement
DIMTHISLINESOF24
declares THISLINES such that it can have a string assigned to it of 24 characters at most. Strings must always be declared in revision
0.14. In revision 2.00 simple strings need no declaration. TPUG fa Be Continued.
=[]
COMMODORE VIC 20 GAMES
Exciting new games . . .
Clearance SALE up to 75% off LIST PRICE
Ik
NUFEKKOPGAMES, with GREAT SOUND, ACTION,
COLOUR, GRAPHICS. Exciting games top notch values
even at list price, great for alf ages, from 5 to 75. All
Cassettes. . . FOR VIC 20 no extra memory needed.
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. ,.
List Discount
Price Price
ALIEN PANIC
ANTIMATTER SPLATTER
EXTERMINATOR
KRAZY KONG
RACEFUN
MUSIC WRITER III
THE CATCH
KINGS RANSOM
TOTAL LIST PRICE
$24.95 $6.95
$29.95 $7.95
$39.95 $9.95
$24.95 $6.95
$24.95 $6.95
$39.95 $9.95
$29.95 $7.95
$39.95 $9.95
$254.60... SALE $66.60
TOTAL PRICE save nearly $200.00
PLEASE ADD $2.50 for shipping and handling for first
game and $1 , for each game thereafter.
WANTTOSAVEEVENMORE?ORDERTHEWHOLE
LOT!!! WE PAY THE SHIPPING TOTAL $66.60 plus
7% Provincial Sales Tax for Ontario Residents
EXTRA MEMORY
MAKER NUFEKOP
VIC GAMES BY THE SAME
List Discount
Price Price
DEFENDER ON TRI $29.95 $7.95
3D MAN $29.95 $7.95
SPACE QUEST $29.95 $7.95
Total List Price $89.95 Discount Price $23.85
FREE SHIPPING IF YOU ORDER ALLTHREEGAMES
OR add $2.50 for shipping and handling for first game
$1.00 thereafter.
8K MEMORY EXPANDER FOR VIC 20
VIC 20 8K MEMORY EXPANDER STANDARD PLUG
IN CARTRIDGE INCREASES MEMORY from 5,120
bytes to 13,312 bytes. GOLD PLATED CONTACTS.
ONE YEAR WARRANTY PREMIUM GRADE COM-
PONENTS. COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION.
REGULAR PRICE $59.95
Special SALE PRICE $45.95
YOUR SAVINGS$14.00
ONTARIO RESIDENTS ADD 7% Provincial Sales Tax
($3.85)
Handling and shipping charges Add $5.00
MASTERCARD, VISA, MONEY ORDERS, PERSONAL
CHECKS TAKE THREE WEEKS TO CLEAR. PHONE
ORDERS ACCEPTED (we deduct $1 for cost of call).
PHONE (705)437-3187 or WRITE B & R ENTER-
PRISES INC., PEFFERLAW,ONT. LOE 1N0
FREE MONEY SAVING CATALOG WITH EVERY
ORDER.
CALL (705)437-3187 PHONE ORDERS AC-
CEPTED 9 AM TO 10 PM MON.-SAT. CALL
(705)437-3187 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
page 38 TPUG magazine
Integral Adventure Game
Brad Bjorndahl
Bramalea, ON
Editor's Note: This article describes a use for a computer as a tool for
intellectual exploration. The "game" to which it refers is of a very aca-
demic nature.
The numerical adventure that I will describe here is one which has
no ending, can take any direction which your imagination can find
and has infinite and very real rewards for the resolute.
Each pathway is well-defined and can only be followed with an
open mind and clear-headed reason. A familiarity with previous
terrain speeds adventurers forward and will help them to recog-
nize invalid routes and rewards which disappear on close examina-
tion. Often more than one path leads to the same reward and one
path can diverge at the end to multiple rewards. This adventure
becomes richer the farther it is travelled and so becomes corre-
spondingly more difficult.
This article will provide a starting point, some references of those
who have written of their own adventures and suggestions on how
to use your computer for exploration and experimentation.
This adventure is integral in the sense that all versions of the game
are parts of a whole and each version is simply a different starting
point. This adventure is also integral in the sense that it uses
integers. Professional integral adventure players call their game
Number Theory but we amateurs intend to enjoy ourselves and
will call it an Adventure, which is a far more accurate designation.
The starting point described here is relatively new, discovered
sometime within the last half century. A fine introduction to this
version of the Integral Adventure is found in reference 3. Briefly,
the adventurer chooses any positive integer. If it is even, divide by
2; otherwise multiply by 3 and add I. So simple! Now you have a
new number, either greater or smaller than the first. If it happens
to be equal to 1, then stop; otherwise repeat the even/odd test.
Continue this way to get a sequence of numbers which may or may
not end (at 1). Let's try 5, which is odd. The next number is 5*3+1
= 16. This is even so 16/2 = 8 is next. Again even so 8/2 — 4 is next.
4/2 = 2 and 2/2 = 1 to end the sequence. Try a few numbers for
yourself but start small. If you experiment with 27 you will find out
why reference 3 calls these hailstone numbers.
Before we start exploring we should, as good adventurers, do a
little thinking. A simple observation shows that any power of 2 will
be continually divided by 2 until 1 remains. Also, you may have
noticed that all your experiments have ended on a 4,2,1 sequence.
You may have also observed that the 4,2,1 sequence is a loop since
the sequence formula applied to the number I yields 4. Which
starting numbers end up in the loop? At least as many as you have
tried and all powers of 2. Are there any more loops, that is, any
numbers which lead to themselves? Why are some sequences long,
such as the one that starts with 27 which has length 111. Where is
the pattern in the sequences? Surely all integer sequences have
patterns. There are many more questions to ask, but exploring a
little now may shed some light. Try writing a program which will
accept a starting value (e.g. 27) and apply the formula until the
sequence hits 1 and will at the same time count the length of the
sequence. This is not difficult, and you can check your results with
reference 3. This is just an exercise, though, because all numbers
up to 2 to the exponent 40 have been checked (in Japan) and they
all end up 4,2,1. Does this mean all sequences end? Perhaps (2 to
exponent 40)+I ends in a different loop or does not end at all: i.e.
continues climbing to infinity. A more difficult program to write
will search for and record new loops. This program is useful for
exploring sequences which are generated by adding a value other
than 1 to odd numbers, that is, 3*N + C where C must be an odd
number (why?). For C = 3 you will immediately find the loop 12,6,3
and for C=5 two loops: 20,10,5 and 4,2,1 again.
There are more loops for C = 5 but they are difficult to find without
a computer. I have found 6 different loops after looking at starting
values up to 500. Two of the loops are 44 numbers in length so your
program which searches for loops must be generous in storing long
numeric vectors. APL on the SuperPET allows arrays to be dynami-
cally dimensioned to avoid this problem of overflow. APL is an
ideal tool with which to play these numbers games but it is not fast.
I expect that BASIC with a simple machine language routine to
check for parity (i.e. the even/odd condition) and to do the arithme-
tic would be much faster but of course not as flexible as APL.
There are a few more small points before you continue on your
way. First, use the number C to prove that there is always at least
one loop. Second, be aware that this version of the Integral Adven-
ture is relatively unexplored. Since there is little helpoutside your
own skull it is both more exciting and more difficult. Lastly, for
reasons described in reference 3, I call this version the Hailstone
Adventure. For those interested in other versions, I can suggest
the Prime Number Adventure and, my favorite, the Fibonacci
Adventure. Enjoy the game. TPUC
References:
Beiler, Albert H. Recreations in the Theory of Numbers,
2nd ed. New York: Dover Publications, l%6.
Grosswald, Emii Topics from the The or v of Numbers.
New York: The MacmiUan Company, 1966.
Ha yes, Brian. "Computer Recreations",Scien tific A me rica it,
January 1984, pp. 10-16.
^1 •!
COOL YOUR DISC DRIVE
with the "F2500" cooling fan for your
Commodore 1540/1541 disc drive
Protect your valuable programs from
excessive heat buildup
A must for every disc drive owner
• Powerful fan cools critical components • Helps prevent disc &
drive problems due to excessive heat buildup • Quiet operation
• High volume air output • Low profile • Easy installation- no tools
required • 90-day free replacement warranty • only $54.95 U.S.
($69.95 Can). *B.C. residents add 7% sales tax.
1540 and 1541 are registered trademarks of Commodore Business Machines Inc.
To order your F2500 disc drive cooling fan please send your
cheque or money order for $54.95 plus $2 for shipping to:
Besco Products
203-8060 Granville Ave., Richmond, B.C. Canada V6Y 1P4
Telephone (604) 278-5115 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
TPUC maoi^inc page 39
AT BLACKJACK THE PLAYER, IF HE PLAYS RIGHT, IS EXPECTED TO WIN IN THE LONG RUN ! !
^
FOR THE COMMODORE 64
The Ultimate Blackjack game
COMPLETE WITH SUPER GRAPHICS AND SOUND EFFECTS
WORLD CLASS CASINO
BLACKJACK
$49.95
\
^TTTTTTTTTTTTTffTfff?^
Master the skill and self-control needed to play winning blackjack. Learn the most effective yet the simplest "card
counting" system, which is used by the world's most successful international blackjack players. You can simulate the rules
of the best casinos around the world where you ought to be playing and winning. Play one hand against the dealer and learn
the basic strategy using the "card count" system, or play up to seven hands and see how well you can play under real casino
conditions.
Playing one hand: the computer works the "card count", displays the basic strategy, all cards left in the shoe, each card's
chance of being drawn, the percentage chance of going bust, and keeps track of all bets. By choosing different dealing
speeds, you can progressively improve your"card count" until you can keep up with the fastest dealers. You can also get a
summary of your game at any time during play.
BONUS — Included is a separate 37K M/L program that lets up to 7 different players play blackjack against the Casino at the
same time making the game as close as possible to the real thing.
World Class Casino Blackjack was actually written by an international blackjack player who has won thousands of dollars in
casinos all over the world. It is the most powerful tool to the player who wants to master the skill of playing winning
blackjack.
World Class Casino Blackjack is the only computer game at which, if you are good enough to beat the dealer, you are good
enough to win a million dollars.
AVAILABLE AT
WORLDS
BIGGEST
BOOKSTORE
20 Edward St.
Toronto, Ont.
COLES
the book people!
EATON CENTRE
Toronto, Ont.
COLES
the book people!
726 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ont.
COLES
the book people!
COMMERCE COURT
Toronto, Ont.
x (5>^Purchase World Class Casino Black at any of the above locations and receive absolutely FREE a copy of the book. . .
"BEAT THE DEALER"
By Edward O. Thorpe
"World Class Casino Blackjack" is published by NOVA COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
Commodore 64 is a Trademark of Commodore Business Machines Inc.
page 40 TPUG magazine
SuperPET 6809 Assembler - Part IV
Brad Bjorndahl
Bramalea, ON
This is the last of four articles on the assembler project PITS. A
little more detail about the 6809 instruction set is necessary at this
time. The 6809 processor is a very-much-enhanced version of the
6800, which in turn is similar to the 6502.
The enhancements include an extra stack pointer and index register,
a direct page register and access to the 8 bit A and B accumulators
as one 16 bit D accumulator. Also available are a set of extremely
powerful addressing modes which can use any of the index regis-
ters and stack pointers. A programmer can apply a constant or
variable offset to a 'base' register using the A, B or D accumulators
for the variable offset. That is, the constant or accumulator is
added to the register to obtain an address. Also the programmer
may cause the register containing an address to automatically
increment or decrement by 1 or 2. This facilitates table handling.
On top of these address options, the programmer can also apply
indirect addressing. This means that the contents of the address
location is treated as an address which in turn points to the data of
interest. This feature is useful for using tables which contain addresses
for subroutines, for example. Lastly, the constant offset option can
be used with the program counter as the base register. This allows
position-independent code to be written.
Other enhancements in the 6809 are a number of 16 bit instructions
for addition, comparisons, etc. There is an instruction which will
multiply the 8 bit A and B accumulators and place the result into
the 16 bit D accumulator. 8 and 16 bit signed addition may be
performed in the 16 bit registers.
Among several hardware enhancements are the addition of three
software interrupts (see 'swi* in the last article) and improvements
in the bit representation of some instructions to increase efficiency.
The remainder of this article will describe selected parts of the
program PITS which use some of the features described above.
Listing 1 is part of the routine which creates the island. The
instructions at locations B and E load the index registers X and Y
with addresses which correspond to the top and bottom left of the
screen in preparation for displaying the upper and lower island
boundaries. The # symbol signifies immediate addressing which
means that the registers are loaded with the two bytes immediately
following the load instructions. The instruction at 12 loads B with
the number of asterisks to display and at 14 loads A with the
contents at location ASTER which happens to be the ASCII
representation of '*'. The loop is very simple; it decrements B and
branches back until B is equal to 0. The interesting parts are the
'sta' instructions which store accumulator A (an '*'). The storage
addresses are contained in index registers X and Y. The preceding
comma means that there is no offset and the following plus sign
causes the register to be incremented by 1. Two plus signs would
mean an increment of 2.
Listing 2 is an example of a variable offset. First B is loaded with
the contents of location Z PTR, which is a pointer to a zombie.
Then X is loaded with the address of Z MOVE CTR, which is an
array containing the number of moves left for each zombie. Then
the contents of the array, offset by the zombie pointer, are
decremented. This code is executed whenever a zombie has moved.
Elsewhere, the same array position is tested for zero, using the
same offset indexing method.
Listing 3 is a complete subroutine which is called during island
building when a 'z' command is encountered. The subroutine
. checks if the zombie position array is full, and if not, then it stores
the new zombie position and displays the zombie on the screen.
First, the zombie counter (Z CTR) is incremented and compared to
MAX Z. This is done with a L cmp' instruction, which is basically a
subtract that does not save the result but does set condition codes
accordingly. The IF-FNDIF structure has not been previously
described, but it is quite simple in this case. The 'if It' only allows
execution if either the negative or overflow condition codes are
set, but not both. Thus It' is translated as less than zero'. Within the
IF, first the zombie counter is stored. Then Y is loaded with the
contents of NEXT Z POS which was previously given the address
of the array holding the zombie position. D is then loaded with the
current row/column island position and stored in the position
array. Register Y is automatically incremented by 2 in order to
point to the next available place in the position array and is saved.
When the current row/column position was determined, the cor-
responding memory address was calculated and saved in RCADDR.
Therefore, in order to display a zombie, it is necessary to store a 'Z'
at the memory address pointed to by RCADDR. That is exactly
what 'stb (rcaddr)' does. The '( )' symbols mean indirect addressing
as described above. This routine is more difficult to describe in
English than it is to write. It is included to illustrate the power of
some of the 6809 machine instructions.
Lastly is the routine in Listing 4 which converts a row/column
position into a memory address. It was used to provide RCADDR
in the last example and will illustrate some 16 bit operations. The
routine assumes that row and column are in accumulators A and B
respectively. Since people (that is, I) like to start counting at 1 but
machines like to start at 0, it is necessary to decrement the row and
column values. This is done with 'dec' and the column is stored in
COL. I have used a trick here to be able to give one address two
names that are meaningful, depending on whether 1 or 2 bytes are
to be accessed. I have reserved memory bytes for COLUMN, so
that its address is the same as ZERO. I clear ZERO and end up with
a 16 bit value for COLUMN. Next, B is set to $50 and is multiplied
by A (the row) using the 'mul' instruction. The product is in D to
which is added first the 16 bit column value and then an offset of
$8000 for the screen address. 16 bit arithmetic makes address han-
dling quite easy.
This completes my development of the PITS project. I have not
touched some essential topics such as stack handling and methods
of passing parameters to subroutines. These are probably best
handled in a dedicated article. 1 must make two more comments
before I close the subject. Those who examine the code in detail
will find weak points in the usage of data arrays because they were
omitted from the project design entirely. Let that be a lesson.
Second, to prove to myself that the game structure is sound, I wrote
the game in Waterloo microBasic with the identical structure as
described. It ran correctly, but was a trifle (more than 20 times)
slower. I hope that the last four SuperPET articles have provided
more motivation for assembly language programming than a mere
decrease in execution time. TPUC
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 41
LISTING 1
OOOB ; display top and bottom row boundaries
000B ldx #$8000
000E ldy #$86e0
0012 ldb #$50
0014 Ida aster
0017 loop
0017 sta ,x +
0019 sta ,y+
001B decb
001C until eq
store an asterisk from $8000 to $804f
and from $86e0 to $871f
01FE
0201
0204
ldb z_ptr
ldx #z_mov e_
dec b , x
ctr
LISTING 2
; decrement the number of
; moves left to the zombie
LISTING 3
0131
0131
0134
0135
0138
013A
013D
0141
0144
0146
014A
014C
0150
C150
add
ctr
equ " rf
ldb z
incb
cmpb max
if It
stb
ldy
ldd
std
sty
ldb
stb
endif
rts
z_c tr
next_z_pos
rc_pos
>y+ +
next_z_po s
#'Z'
[ re addr ]
increment the zombie counter
if zombie counter is less than max
save the zombie counter
and save the row/column position
and display a zombie
0000
c a lc
_rcaddr equ *
0000
de ca
0001
decb
0002
stb col
0005
c lr zero
0008
ldb #$50
000A
mu 1
OOOB
addd column
000E
addd #$8000
0011
rts
0012
col umn
rmb
0012
zero
rmb $01
0013
col
rmb $01
LISTING 4
on entry, row is in A and column in B
this is to count rows and columns from
instead of 1 so the calculation is correct
the row number is still in reg
multiply the row number by 80
add on the column number
add the screen address offset
; 16 bit co lumn value
; 8 bit col umn value
page 42 TPUG magazine
CLEARANCE SALE C-64 4 SLO
CLEARANCE SALE OF 4 SLOT EXPANDER
BOARDS FOR COMMODORE 64 by XETEC
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
REG. PRICE $119.00 SPECIAL CLEARANCE
PRICE $89.00 . . . Save $30.00
PLUGS into your Commodore 64 memory expansion port.
Allows you to insert up to 4 CARTRIDGES at one time.
COMPLETE with Reset switch. Fused power, plus spare
fuse, GOLD PLATED CONTACTS. Three status indicators,
for each slot, premium grade components. One YEAR
WARRANTY COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION.
MASTER CARD, VISA, MONEY ORDERS, PERSONAL
CHECKS TAKE THREE WEEKS TO CLEAR. PHONE ORDERS
ACCEPTED (we deduct $1.00 for the cost of your call).
Phone 705-437-3187 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. to Sat.
MAIL ORDERS TO:
U 1
B&R ENTERPRISES INC.
PEFFERLAW, ONTARIO
L0E1N0
ONTARIO RESIDENTS ADD 7% PROVINCIAL SALES TAX
($6.23). Shipping and Handling Insurance $6.00 per unit.
. . . DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED . . .
Free money saving catalog with every order
/
"\
/
/
TeleTalk
Telecommunications
for your Commodore 64™
TeleTalk — has the same features as other
more expensive terminal programs.
Compare these features:
— Uploading of text or programs with Block,
Xon/Xoff, CP/M (Xmodem), Pet transfer, or
prompted protocols
— Downloading of text or programs with
CP/M (Xmodem), Pet transfer protocols, or
buffer storage (42 K)
-Transfer of graphics, V/pro files, or other
information is possible with the
CP/M Direct-to-Disk protocol.
-ASCII or Commodore Modes.
-8 Programmable Macro Keys.
— 1 2 Hour Timer and Status Line.
— Output to serial printers.
— Terminal Set-Up file and disk commands.
Available on disk for $4! .95 + 7% PST
From. ThunderWare Software
RR#5
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 5M9
\
\
\
\
\_
./
/
/
HELP IS HERE
FOR C-64 &VIC-20
THE LITTLE BLACK BOX RESET SWITCH
• REVIVE and SAVE all CRASHED BASIC PROGRAMS
even after entering command "NEW"
with aid of included program listing
• Saves hours of work in retyping
• Resets computer from ANY BASIC program lock-up
• Easily installs in USER PORT
• Will not void CBM warranty
• Saves wear and tear on computer
• Diode Protected Circuitry
• Lifetime Warranty!
Now only 14.95 CDN (II.95 U.S.)
(LIMITED TIME OFFER!)
Please send check or money order to:
BESCO PRODUCTS
203 - 8060 Granville Ave., Richmond, B.C.
Ph: 604-278-5 1 1 5
Canada V6Y IP4
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
TPUG magazine page 43
OLYMPI A PR INTERS
R.O.
LETTER QUALITY
DAISY WHEEL
PRINTER
INCLUDES
RS232C and
parallel interface
Tractor feed
10,12,15 pitch
$54 9.0
COMPACT 2
LETTER QUALITY
DAISY WHEEL
PRINTER/TYPEWRITER
INCLUDES
Full featured
typewriter with
correction
Parallel Centronics
interface
On line key
$795.00
EXCEL TYPEWRITERS LTD
86 Sheppard Ave. West
North York, Ontario
Canada (416) 225-4121
VISA MASTER CARD
Now there's PASCAL
for the Commodore 64.
And at a mini price,
Kyan PASCAL is a full-featured implementation of PASCAL
-not a subset 1 With these features:
□ high-performance compiler and comprehensive set of
error messages for faster debugging
□ speeds up to 40 times faster than Commodore Basic
□ built-in full screen editor
□ support for files, pointers, record types, sets and ordinal
types used in sophisticated data structures.
□ plus, a comprehensive tutorial manual illustrating the
speed and power of PASCAL through sample programs.
Kyan PASCAL lets you develop programs on your
Commodore 64 that are transportable to most mainframes.
So it's perfect for students and working at home.
Try it for 15 days.
Order Kyan PASCAL, and if you're not completely satisfied,
return the diskette and manual within 1 5 days for a full refund.
Kyan PASCAL with complete tutorial manual $49.95
[Add $4.50 per copy for postage and handling. $9.50 out-
side North America, California residents add 6.5% sales tax.]
To order, call 415/775-2923.
[VISA and MasterCard accepted.]
Or send check or money order to: Kyan Software,
Suite 183, 7850 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123.
Sorry, no CO. D. orders accepted.
Bkyan
IF...
All around you they are promising you more
and giving you less
THEN . . .
phone, write or visit*
CANADIAN SOFTWARE
SOURCE
MORE . . . SOFTWARE
MORE . . . HARDWARE
MORE . . . BOOKS
MORE . . . DISCOUNTS
Over 1500 products for the
COMMODORE 64
IF...
you have not received our FREE NEW
1984-85 CATALOGUE
THEN . . .
Call or Write
CANADIAN
SOFTWARE SOURCE
Box 340, Station "W",
TORONTO M6M 5B9
(416)491-2942
*NEW . . .
Call or Write for the location of our
NEW METRO TORONTO
COMPUTERWARE CATALOGUE
SHOPPING OUTLET
page 44 TPUG magazine
Using The User Port - Part 1
David Williams
Toronto, ON
(This article is based on a presentation which was given by the
author at the 1984 TPUG Conference).
All Commodore computers are designed to interact with a wide
variety of external equipment. For example, they can all be used
with printers, tape-cassette decks, disk drives and modems. Many
of them also come with sockets for plugging in other standard
peripherals such as joysticks, external video monitors and sound
amplifiers. In short, there are lots of off-the-shelf items which
Commodore users can buy and connect to their computers.
The range of peripherals is not confined to those which can be
bought from computer stores. Commodore has incorporated into
all PET/CBMs, VIC 20's and C-64's a "user port". This is intended
to allow users to make their own peripherals and connect them to
their computers. The port allows the computer to receive informa-
tion from the outside world, and also to output signals which can
be used to control external equipment. These articles will describe
the main features of the user port, and outline some of the ways in
which it can be used-
Figure 1 is a diagram of the port, as seen looking into the computer
from behind, showing its important connections. Physically, the
port consists of a projecting part of the computer's main circuit
board which is accessible through a large aperture in its case. On
both the top and the bottom surface of the circuit board are twelve
metal contacts, so there are twenty-four contacts in all. These
contacts are connected within the computer to various points in its
circuitry, so that connections to these points can be easily made by
the user. Some of the connections are different on the various
kinds of Commodore computer. However, the important contacts
which are labelled along the bottom side of the circuit board in
Figure 1 are the same on all PET/CBMs, VIC 20's and C-64's. These
are the contacts with which this article will be mainly concerned.
Port Connection Diagram
+ 5 volts, 100 ma maximum
(VIC20&:C-64ONLYl)
(PET/CBM machines have
power on cassette port)
123456789 10 11 12
ABCDEFHJKLMN
Gro'und V s Gro'und
User Port (Bit Numbers)
fig-i
Getting Connected
It is important to realize from the outset that the contacts along the
bottom of the port are quite separate from those along the top.
Many a computer has spent a while in a repair shop because its user
unthinkingly used an alligator clip, or something of the sort, to
make a connection to the user port, thereby connecting a bottom
contact to the one above it on the top of the board. I would strongly
recommend anyone who plans to use the port to buy a "proper"
connector for it. This connector consists of a strip of plastic contain-
ing a slot which fits snugly over the projecting part of the circuit
board in the port. Twenty-four metal contacts within the slot make
connection with the contacts on the circuit board, and are accessi-
ble through twenty-four separate solder-lugs on the outside of the
connector. The spacing of the contacts is 3.96 millimetres (0.156
inches). The total length of the slot is 52 millimetres (2.04 inches).
A suitable, commercially-made connector is the Edac type 308-024
400-202, a photograph of which is shown in Figure 2. 1 buy mine, in
the Toronto area, at Electro-Sonic, on Gordon Baker Road, near
Victoria Park and Steeles.
Unfortunately, you may find these connectors hard to obtain. (In
fact, in order to get a hundred of them for sale at the 1984 Conference,
TPUG had to have them especially made! They were all sold long
before the Conference was over). The twenty-four contact connec-
tors are less common than other sizes. This has led many users to
try desperate measures such as buying unsuitable connectors and
cutting them to fit. If you try this kind of thing, I suggest that you
take a ruler to the store so that you can check that the contact
spacing is correct. If you buy a connector which is too long, then
cut it to fit, make sure that you close the open end of the slot with
some material such as epoxy glue so that the connector cannot slip
sideways when installed. Slipped connectors can cause disasters by
bridging together adjacent contacts on the circuit board. Another
desperate measure is to cover the top contacts on the port with
adhesive plastic tape (preferably a transparent kind, so that the
contacts can still be seen), then to use alligator clips to make
connections to the bottom contacts. This works as an emergency
procedure, but I would not recommend it for routine use. The
clips are liable to abrade through the tape before long!
The Eight-Lane Highway
As is shown in Figure 1 , the twelve contacts along the bottom of the
port are normally described by labelling them with letters, A
through N. (G and I are omitted to avoid confusion with other
letters and digits.) The outermost pins, A and N, are both con-
nected to "system ground". This is the reference point, relative to
which everything else is measured. (Incidentally, the outermost
pins on the top of the port are also grounded). Pins B and M are
used for purposes which are beyond the scope of this article. The
remaining eight pins, C to L, can all be used to send information
into or out from the computer. This is done by switching the
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 45
voltages on the pins between two levels, which can represent the
digits zero and one. In a sense, the eight pins can be considered as
being like a highway with eight separate lanes, each carrying its
own independent flow of traffic. However, unlike a highway, the
eight pins on the user port are not permanently divided into
"inbound" and "outbound" channels. The user can choose whether
any given pin should carry information into the computer or out
from it. Any combination is possible. All the pins can be used as
inputs, or all as outputs, or some of each.
This choice of directions is made by POKEing an address called
the "direction register". Like every other address in the computer,
the direction register consists of eight bits, each capable of holding
a binary digit of information — a zero or a one. The contents of each
of the eight bits in the direction register determines whether one of
the user port pins functions as an input or as an output. The least
significant bit (Bit 0) determines the function of Pin C, and the
sequence follows in simple numerical order, so that Bit 7 deter-
mines whether Pin L is an input or an output pin. If a bit contains a
zero, the corresponding pin is an input. A bit containing a one
corresponds to an output pin.
Renaming the Pins
Here, I intend to make a change in nomenclature which should
simplify the rest of this article. Instead of referring to the eight
pins by their letters, C to L, I will instead use their bit-numbers,
to 7. Thus, Pin C will be called "Pin 0", and so on. This should
make things easier to undertand. However it is important to real-
ize that these numbers have nothing to do with the numbers which
are used to describe the pins on the top of the port. Don't get
confused between them!
The number which must be POKEd into the direction register
must therefore have a bit-pattern which corresponds to the desired
pattern of input and output pins. For example, if you want pins 2, 4
and 5 to be outputs, and the rest to be inputs, you must POKE the
direction register with the number in which bits 2, 4 and 5 are ones,
and the rest zeroes. To do this, first look in Table 1 to find the
address of the direction register in your computer (I'll call this
address "DR"), then, either in direct mode or as a line of a program,
execute the command:
POKE DR,(2T2) OR (2T4) OR (2T5)
(Oops! Maybe some of you are not familiar with the "Boolean
operators" such as "OR". If you know all about OR, AND and
NOT, just skip to the end of this paragraph. Otherwise read on. . .
The OR operator performs an operation on two numbers to gener-
ate a third. Here is an example:
10010111
01000110
The numbers are expressed in binary notation, and the resulting
number has a one in every bit-position where one OR the other OR
both of the starting numbers has a one. Similarly, ORing the
numbers 2^2, 2^4 and 2^5 (as in the previous paragraph) has the
following effect:
00000100
00010000
00010100
00100000
00110100
The final number has the desired bit-pattern. The AND operator
is similar, except that both of the starting numbers — one of them
AND the other — must have a one in any position in order for the
resulting number to have a one there:
10010110
01011011
00010010
The final Boolean operator is NOT, which has only one starting
number and simply reverses all its bits:
01100011
10011100
11010111
There! Now you know all about Boolean operators in BASIC! I
suggest that you experiment with them in order to become totally
familiar with them).
The first programming operation which must be done whenever
the user port is to be used must be to POKE the direction register.
A few people sometimes omit this POKE if they want to use the
port only to input information into the computer. They rely on the
fact that, when the computer is first switched on, the direction
register usually contains a zero, making all the port pins inputs.
However, my own experience is that this is unreliable. If the
direction register has previously held a non-zero number, it may
not be restored to zero if the computer is briefly switched off. I
suggest, to be safe, that you should POKE the direction register
even if you want all the pins to be inputs.
Reading Input Pins
Let's try a little experiment. To do this, you will need a user port
connector and a piece of wire, preferably with an alligator clip on
each end. (Wires with alligator clips on both ends are called "clip
leads", and are sold in stores such as Radio Shack. I recommend
any hardware experimenter to have lots of them). Connect one end
of the wire to one of the grounded pins on the port and leave the
other end unconnected for the time being. Switch the computer on
and POKE the direction register to zero, so all the pins are inputs.
continued on next page
Addresses
TAI
PET/CBM(2.0AND4.0)
tLEI
VIC 20
C-64
Direction
Register (DR)
59459
($E843)
37138
($9112)
56579
($DD03)
Port(P)
59471
($E84F)
37136
($9110)
56577
($DD01)
page 46 TPUG magazine
Now PEEK the actual port address, which I call "P", and which is
shown for all Commodore machines in Table I. You should find
that it contains the number 255 (decimal), which, in binary notation,
is 11111111 —an eight-bit number in which every bit is a one. Now
connect the free end of your grounded wire to one of the eight port
pins C to L, which are now renamed to 7. Let's suppose that you
ground Pin 3. PEEK the port address again. You should find that
you now get 247 (decimal), which has the bit-pattern 11110111. Bit
3, corresponding to Pin 3, has become a zero. (Remember that the
rightmost bit in a binary number is called Bit 0, since it represents
2T0. The leftmost bit, Bit 7, represents 2T7.) Do some more
experiments, connecting various of the pins to 7 to ground and
PEEKing the port address. More than one pin can be grounded at
one time, if you wish. You should find that the port address always
contains a number in which the bits corresponding to the grounded
pins are zeroes and the rest are ones.
If you have a voltmeter available (all serious hardware hackers
own voltmeters), try measuring the voltages on the ungrounded
pins. You should get approximately +5 volts, relative to ground.
The grounded pins, of course, are at zero volts. These two voltages,
+ 5 and 0, are the standard TTL (that's short for "Transistor-
Transistor Logic") voltage levels to represent the digits one and
zero, respectively. If any input pin on the port is at roughly +5
volts (say between + 4 and +5), the corresponding bit in the num-
ber found by PEEKing the port address is a one. If the pin is close
to zero volts, the bit is a zero. Thus information can be fed into the
computer from the outside world by connecting something to the
port which drives a pin to either +5 or volts, and running a
program which PEEKs the port address and looks at the appropri-
ate bit.
The Boolean operator " AND" can be used to look at just one bit of
a number. For example, if you want to look at bit 5, simply AND
the number with 2T5. Thus if you want to write a program which
will do something if Pin 5 of the user port is at zero volts simply use
the condition:
IF (PFEK(P) AND (2T5)) = THEN . . .
This condition will be satisfied whenever bit 5 in PEEK(P) is a zero,
irrespective of all the other bits. Incidentally, the outermost brack-
ets are very important. Without them, the condition will never be
satisfied since 2T5 never equals zero! The "equals" operator is
performed before U AND", unless brackets are used to force the
opposite order.
1 hope you will now have no problem in seeing that the following
condition is the one to use if you want the computer to do some-
thing if Pin 2 is at +5 volts:
IF (PFFK(P) AND (2T2))X) THEN . . .
More Observations
The results of our little experiment of looking at voltages on input
pins suggest some other important facts.
First: The voltage on any pin of the user port should NEVER be
driven outside the TTL range of zero to +5 volts, relative to
ground. There are some people who cheerfully put voltages well
outside this range onto the port and get away with it. Similar
people plug air-conditioners into lighting circuits in the expecta-
tion that the circuit designers will have put large enough salety
margins into their calculations to make such overloads possible.
Fire marshals know that people who do this kind of thing some-
times get away with it for a while, but rarely for ever.
Second: A voltage of +5 volts represents a logical one, and zero
volts represents a logical zero. If the voltage is wrong by half a volt
or so, the logical digit will not be changed. However, there is a
"hazy" region around +2 or +3 volts where the system will not
reliably determine which digit is indicated. Putting an intermedi-
ate voltage such as these onto a user port pin will not cause any
physical damage, but it will tend to make your logical system work
unreliably.
Third: An input pin which is not connected to anything outside the
computer is held at +5 volts, and a logical one, by the internal
circuitry of the computer. To make it read a logical zero, the pin
must be grounded. In practical circuits, this grounding is often
done through a resistor, so that the pin can be put back to +5 volts
by driving a current through the resistor. 1 have found that, in
practice, the resistor must have a value of no more than about IK
(1000 ohms) in order for the pin reliably to appear at a logical zero.
Usually, I use 470 ohms or thereabouts.
Programming Output Pins
Let's make the user port pins into outputs, and try another
experiment. To do this, you'll need a voltmeter. If you don't have
one, I guess you'll just have to read along and take my word for it.
Make all the pins into outputs by POKEing the direction register
with 255 — the number in which all eight bits are ones. POKE the
port address with zero, and measure the voltages of all the eight
pins, relative to a ground pin. You should find that they are all
close to zero volts. Now POKE the port address with 255 and
measure the voltages again. All the pins should be close to + 5
volts.
POKE the port address with the number 245, which has the bit-
pattern 11110101. Measure the voltages. Pins 1 and 3 should be at
zero volts, the rest at +5 volts. This corresponds to the fact that bits
1 and 3 in the binary equivalent ol the number 245 are zeroes and
the rest ones. Try POKEing the port address with other numbers
and measuring the voltages on the pins. You should always find
that the pattern of +5 and voltages on the pins matches the
bit-pattern of the number you have POKEd into the port. Each bit
in the port address controls one output pin.
Try POKEing the direction register with a number between zero
and 255, then repeat the experiment of POKEing various numbers
into the port and measuring voltages. You should find that your
POKEs to the port address can influence only the pins which you
have programmed to be outputs with the direction register. For
example, if bit 5 in the number you have put into the direction
register is a one, pin 5 can be switched between zero and +5 volts by
POKEing the port address. However, if bit 5 in the direction
register contains a zero, this pin is an input and is unaffected by
POKEs to the port. Like all unconnected input pins, it remains at
+ 5 volts.
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 47
Why a Voltmeter?
Those of you who don't have voltmeters may be tempted to try the
above experiments with some other means of detecting voltages,
such as flashlight bulbs. Surely, if a bulb is connected between
ground and a user port pin which is at +5 volts, it should light. If
the pin is at zero volts, the bulb will not light. Try this if you like,
but you're inviting disappointment. The bulb will never light, no
matter what numbers you POKE into the direction register and the
port address.
The problem is that the output pins on the user port are each
capable of supplying a current of only about one milliamp (one
thousandth of an ampere) at +5 volts. A voltmeter takes far less
current than this, so it responds properly in our experiments.
However, a flashlight bulb requires much more current to light
— typically around a hundred milliamps. If an output pin on the
user port is at +5 volts and a flashlight bulb is then connected
between it and ground, it cannot supply enough current to light
the bulb. Instead, the voltage on the pin is dragged down close to
zero volts, almost as if the pin were grounded with a thick piece of
wire.
Incidentally, the internal circuitry of the computer is set up so that
grounding output pins is not supposed to cause any damage.
However, to be on the safe side, I would not recommend doing it
for long periods.
POKEing One Bit at a Time:
When a number is POKEd into the port address, its bit-pattern
determines the voltages on all the output pins. In practical situations,
if there are several devices connected to different output pins, a
programmer is likely to be interested in writing code which will
control them one at a time, not all at once. What is needed is a
technique, in BASIC, of changing just one bit in a number, leaving
the others unaltered.
Several operations are needed. First, the port address is PEEKed
to find what number is already in it. Boolean operations are then
done to change just one bit in this number, and the resulting
number is POKEd back into the port address. In practice, these
operations can usually be written into one line of code. For example,
if you want to POKE the port address so that it will contain a one in
bit 4, simply execute the instruction:
POKE P,PEEK(P) OR (2t4)
Whatever number was originally in the port address is ORed with
2^4. If you recall what the OR operator does, you should recognize
that this forces a one into bit 4 and leaves all the other bits unchanged.
The resulting number is then POKEd into the port.
To force a zero into a bit-position in the port address is only
slightly more complicated. Here is an instruction which will make
bit 6 contain a zero, and leave all the other bits unchanged:
POKE P,PEEK(P) AND NOT (2t6)
NOT (2^6) is a number which has a zero in bit 6 and a one in every
other position. ANDing this number with PEEK(P) produces a
new number which has a one in every position where PEEK(P) has
a one, EXCEPT bit 6, which is bound to contain a zero.
A Slight Snag
The logic of the last few paragraphs depends on an assumption
which seems so obvious that it is virtually never questioned. It
assumes that PEEKing the port address will produce a number
which represents the "true state" of the port, so that every output
pin which is supposed to beat +5 volts will be represented by a one
in the corresponding bit-position.
This assumption can occasionally (fortunately avoidably) be wrong.
PEEKing the port effectively measures the actual voltages on the
pins. If an output pin is connected to an external device which
draws more than about one milliamp from it, its actual voltage may
be well below + 5 volts even though it is programmed to be at +5
volts. PEEKing the port address may then produce a number
which has a zero, instead of a one, in the corresponding bit-position.
(You can easily confirm this experimentally, if you want, by ground-
ing an output pin and PEEKing the port.) When this number,
modified by Boolean operations on another bit, is POKEd back
into the port, the result is to reprogram the low-voltage output pin
to be at zero volts, so it ceases to supply any current to the external
device to which it is connected. This can mystifyingly cause exter-
nal devices to be affected by instructions which are intended to
affect only other pins.
This problem never occurs unless an output pin is held at a low
voltage by an external connection which draws too much current.
For this reason, I make a practice of making all connections to
output pins through resistors of at least 4.7 kilohms. These resis-
tors limit the currents taken from the pins to acceptable levels. All
I then have to do is to design my external circuitry in such a way
that these small currents are enough to perform the functions I
want — which is an entirely different problem! TPUG
To Be Continued. . .
Program Cheeks:
* Electronics
• Speed & dtek clamping
* Radial head alignment
• Mechanical stop location
Package Includes:
• Trufc distal alignment disk
* Replacement quiet dtfve stop
-*
ORDER NOW!
800-762-5645
Hours 10>6 M on, Sat.
CARDINAL SOFTWARE
13646 Jefferson Davis Highway
Woodbridge, VA 22191
page 48 TPUG magazine
Super Action Software!
Perplexian Challenger $29.95
The increditily responsive trtree-ams iciv*tn# contrui of
soace hghte. J it jh your 1 hands Split screen graphics provide
a con un uous display nl your shiu's instrument anon, as wel\
i > i- • L!^.«limeri&iQnal animated viertr □( space
Ycu. as a pilot, must utilize hgnt-mng fast reflexes tu destroy
invading ships, and avoid the»r return lire Simultaneously, you
must maneuver your ship to capture space debris that
remaps tram the en plosion 5
Outstanding graphics features include smooth 3-D
rotations. sphL screens and the most fncredioie high-
resolution hyperspace seguence ever produced
Programmed entirely m machine language, this action-
strategy came »s guaranteed to blow you away.
Ad the professional features you expect are included,
automatic self-dema, high score retention, pause, and
pro visions for 1 co 4 players. Add to tins,, features you don't
expect like easy-loading, and muse during the load Penile* ran
Challenger is a game that brings the arcade experience to your
home
PROCR€XTIV€
asm/.
C
DENVER, COLORADO
CYBERWORLD $3995
This five-screen arcade adventure packs the computer nyith
intense graphics and sound! Yr«u are 3 special Cyber league
agent in a universe full of hostile a^ens and vicious robots.
J . '■• - ana keyboard transport you through 3-D rutin ib,
space homers, fleets of invaders, and warship-ndden
quad rants ol space Over 1 OD sprites 8 new character set*
and dozens of mind- boggling sound effects make up this multi-
layered adventure Animation, action, <md strategy a\*
combined into a gam© so extensive that two disk sides are
jammed with game programs and data! Reach the uStimate
rank of admiraf and you may carve a niche m the parmarient
high-score list A full-size book quality manual with fulf-color
covers is included to guide you through your most exerting
game experience
cDT^aRds39 95
Jump from ropes to ladders, dodge plummeting boulders and
duck under deadly arrows in your quest for sparkling diamonds,
gfotnrrtnj bars of sold, Wtd elisceninn, pearls. Wirh joysrick in hand
you must explore forty darling scieens, each a new and exciting
jdvenrurc. I jkc the key MS unlock ihe doorway ro your next spine-
tingling level. Each key restores your mimical powers, allowing you
to dm uver ten different «pc lis. With tints* magic spells you have the
powrr to rwercume victor-, creatures, terrifying traps, and perilous
plunges.
Your Wizard is rcalistiL^I lv animated in ever,, possible directum.
Dozens of rnovements are possible — jump over burning fires,
shimmy up or down ropes and ladders, even slip down tn ichorous
sliding Kaitcayes! Magic portals move your Wizard through midair
.md protect you from a myriad of fully-animated fiendish monsters.
Catch an devaror to the top of the screen and dart through sliding
gates in four quest for magic and treasure.
Wizard's fascinating variety of screens are sure to please and
entertain, ^nd o; course you can build an unlimired number or your
own levels using the construction set provided with your yame.
PROFESSOR ^
An in-dcplh self-tulurial for the Commodore 64 on a Iwo-
sided disk. This menu-driven tutorial covers every aspect
of your C-64 — BASIC, keyboard, sound, music, simple and
advanced gr.ipihii.s. Quizzes lest your comprehension il
the end nf m t my W'svims! On -screen illustrations, sound
effects and full-color interacti ve graphics nulla; learning
ci_y and interest ing. The PROFESSOR is your ONLY choice
l\u an all-in-one, thorough tutorial nhool the Commudnre 64!
(ioiljmng's |daxr $39.95
Reat-time adventure excitement ai lis best Solve countless
pu^le-5 and slay over a dozen monsters Oy using the huge
vocabulary of over 200 words Two challenging difficulty levels
await you with over BO areas., each fully described in Old English
SCMp!
Menacing monsters knmng villains, tattered code books and
ir^acnemus lerram are |ust a lew of the sjtuaiions you must
overcome m your quest (of fchjllwieen priceless Ir-easures Wore
shan seventy objects are <nvaJuaole to you in your search tor glory
and weaith'
A lull size, thoroughly illustrated fttariUil is included Featuring
color ban! and back. book qualify and a lotd-out map. this
extra further extends tne professionalism ol this garm. The
following are quotes from unsolicited testimonials sent to us by
adventurers m Goihmogs I. air
' I have exiremofy emiiiyed Gothmog !
adventure games
Gothmog s Lair is ihfi best ad
CM
Ldir iij plan to buy more
ScDtt Tulman
Memphis. TN
nlure I ve ever played
Denns Manochio, Jr
Saratoga CA
Supershipper 64
A complete multi-printer shipping sysiem which operates
on the inexpensive Cum mot lore M. Olfers .ill the features
of more expensive, more cunihei some business >ft w 'i e a I :i
low. low price. Full-sen n. I ull-cursor editing on all data
entry. Prints invoices. C.U.1J. Uigs. mailing ami .shipping
labe; . Sorts jWtif customer list aphabrlically. bvcily slale
or by salespi- ::;uii- Keeps cumpli'le records of rill invoices
and accounts on disk — up to 800 accounts per disk! Auto-
matic backups, producl charts and many other features
are also included.
Supershipper Accounting
The accounting supplement to the Supershipper 64. Prints
siaiements. hank deposits, past due accounts ami daily or
monthly sales reports. Breaks down sales commissions and
prints all customer's past I ransacl ions. Also provides
inventory control for op to 200 different producls. The only
way lo fully computerize your business!
Supershipper 64 $99.95
Supershipper Accounting $79.95
Progressive Peripherals & Software
2186 South Holly, Suite #2, Denver, Colorado 80222
Call for more information or a dealer near you.
TELEX: 888837 (303)759-5713 (303)757-0830 TWX
Cs
9109971314
TPVG magazine page 49
Forecasting With The 8032 — Part IV
John Shepherd
Islington, ON
The TPUG February PET disk, (P)T6, contains four programs
which can be used to project historical data into the future, through
a process called time series analysis. The first three parts of this
series of articles (TPUG Magazine, May, June and July 1984)defined
some of the forecasting terminology and concepts, and showed
how two of these programs are used.
Moving Averages
The third program on the disk, "forest ma. 8", uses moving aver-
ages of historical data to generate forecasts. An "N-period simple-
moving-average 1 ' is merely an arithmetic average of the most
recent N observations of historical data. The forecast is equal to the
calculated value of this moving average.
The apparant simplicity of this forecasting procedure is deceptive.
There are many applications in business where there is so much
variability in the historical data that the simple-moving-average
forecasting model performs just as well as much more sophisti-
cated techniques.
Recent developments in the theory of time series analysis were
consolidated by G.E.P. Box and G.M. Jenkins in 1970, in their
classic text Time Series Analysis, Forecasting, and Control. These fore-
casting techniques, called Box-Jenkins models, are complex but
generally produce superior results. However, the procedures are
time-consuming to implement and preferably require about 100
observations of historical data. I have had experience with monthly
business sales forecasts, where a six-month simple moving average
produced just as accurate forecasts as the optimum Box-Jenkins
model. Box-Jenkins models are beyond the scope of this series of
articles and are not included among the programs on the TPUG
disk. I suspect, however, that for many applications these TPUG
programs can provide close-to-optimum forecasts.
The properties of the simple-moving-average method depend
upon N, the number of historical observations to be averaged. If N
is large, the moving average will react slowly to changes or trends
in the data. If N is small, the moving average will react more
quickly and will be more influenced by random fluctuations in the
data. For most data there is often an optimum N which produces a
minimum forecast error.
The Naive Model
If N=l, then the forecast is equal to the most recent recorded data.
This is called the "naive" model, and is the forecasting process
used intuitively by most of us in our daily lives, in situations where
there is no obvious trend or seasonality and no obvious degree of
randomness in the data.
In business the naive model is useful in perhaps 30% of all short-
term forecasting situations. The program "forest ma. 8" uses the
naive model as an option, so that its results can be compared
against other moving average models.
Moving Averages for a Trend Process
A simple-moving-a\ -age will always lag a trend in the data. The
larger the value for , the larger will be the lag. For this reason,
simple-moving-averages are not used for forecasting where the
data shows a pronounced trend. A double-moving-average method
is often used in such situations.
A "double-moving-average" is merely a moving average of the
simple-moving-averages. The following formula is used to calcu-
late the forecast, which is corrected for a linear trend:
F = (2*M1-M2) + 2*LT*(M1-M2)/(N-1)
where:
F is the forecast for LT periods ahead
LT is the forecast lead time
Ml is an N-period simple-moving-average
M2 is an N-period double-moving-average
N is the period for both moving averages
Program "forest ma. 8"
Load the program and run it. The program first asks for the name
of a data file and calls it into memory. Load the sample data file
"forest data. 8". The data can be displayed graphically, if desired,
to see whether it appears to have any seasonality or trend. This
data seems to have both.
Next, choose one of three forecasting models; the naive, the simple-
moving-average, or the double-moving-averagc. As a general
principle, always choose the simplest forecasting model that might
reasonably work. It's often informative to compare the perform-
ance of the naive model with one of the other two. For our data,
let's try the double-moving-average model. Enter next the desired
forecast lead time, let's say 2 periods or 2 months.
If one of the moving average models has been chosen, the program
asks whether you wish to input the moving average period, N, or
whether you wish to have the computer calculate the forecast error
for a range of periods and determine the optimum period. For our
data, let's find the optimum, for a range of 2 to 12 months.
For any of the three models chosen, the program next asks whether
we wish to make any multiplicative corrections for seasonality (see
part II, TPUG Magazine, Juneissue)andifso, asks for the period of
seasonality. If there is any doubt whether seasonality is significant,
it is wise to try this option. Even the naive model becomes extremely
useful when corrected in this manner. For our data (monthly beer
sales), we obviously wish to correct for seasonality.
The program then goes to work and calculates forecast error over
the entire time series (for our data, over the prior 60 entries). It
displays the mean square error (M.S.E) and the mean absolute
deviation (M.A.D.) of these forecast errors for each moving aver-
age in the range chosen.
For our data file the optimum moving average period is 9 months.
The M.S.E. is 1.7 units and the forecast for period 62 is 21.2 units.
(A unit is one-thousand cases of beer). This means that we can
expect our forecast to be accurate to within plus or minus 1.7 units
two-thirds of the time and to within plus or minus 3.4 units 95% of
the time. If we display the forecast error versus time we can see that
the error looks random and that the forecast can probably not be
improved very much by other models.
In the next article we'll look at the program "forest exp.8". This
program also produces short-term forecasts but uses a special kind
of moving average, using a technique called "exponential smoothing".
TPUG
To Be Continued. . .
page 50 TPUG magazine
Accurate C-64 Timekeeping
Glen C. Bodie
Toronto, ON
Commodore computers use a version of BASIC which has two
built-in system variables for use in keeping track of the time: TI
and TI$. Information on these can be found in The Commodore 64
User's Guide on page 113 or in The Commodore 64 Programmers
Reference Guide, page 89.
These variables are both based on the system "jiffy" clock. This is
an interval timer which is updated every l/60th of a second by the
system. The TI variable returns the interval timer value numerically.
The TI$ variable is updated by the interval timer, but is read and
written as a character string which contains "time" in a 24-hour
HHMMSS format. Either of these (especially TI$) can be very
useful when you are writing a program which wants to keep track
of the time. Once you set a value in TI$, the system will keep the
time updated for you,
A simple program which allows you to enter a time, and then
displays the time back to you like a clock is shown in Program 'A'.
Note that in order to prevent getting a BASIC error message, there
should really be some checking on the values entered for the time.
The Commodore 64 User's Guide does not mention it (The Commo-
dore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide does), but the values of these
system variables are not accurate following tape I/O. This is because
the l/60th second system interrupt is disabled during part of the
I/O process. What both Guides fail to mention is that these system
variables are also not accurate following disk I/O.
If you are trying to write a program which keeps track of the time
and also does some I/O (disk or tape), this can be a real headache.
There seem to be only a few alternatives:
1) Use machine language to modify the interrupt code so that the
l/60th second interrupt is not disabled during I/O!
2) Derive some sort of algorithm which tries to "account" for the
time which is lost: ie. add 7.33 seconds to the time, because the disk
write was for 23 blocks and had to do 2 track seeks!
3) Forget about trying to keep track of the time or forget about
doing any I/O!
4) Find another way to keep accurate time even when doing I/O.
It is this fourth alternative that turns out to be the best. Off-hand,
that sounds like a formidable task, but the Commodore 64 has an
easy way to do this. I am referring to one of the many wonderful
abilities of the CIA chip (Complex Interface Adapter). The C-64
has two of these which are described in great detail in The Commo-
dore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide in Appendix M starting on
page 419.
The way the C-64 is put together, CIA #1 is used primarily to
interface to the keyboard and joysticks, and CI A #2 is used primar-
ily to interface to the serial bus and the user port. None of these
functions interferes with one of the other functions of the CIA
chip — maintaining a TOD (Time-of-Day) clock. It is this TOD
clock which we will use to keep the time.
NUMBER
in BCD
01
0000 0001
09
0000 1001
10
0001 0000
25
0010 0101
99
1001 1001
Using this TOD clock is certainly more complex than using the
TI$ variable, but at least it doesn't lose any time! It is more
complex because the TOD registers are designed for use in driving
a digital display and thus present their data in BCD (Binary Coded
Decimal). BCD is an encoding technique which keeps decimal
numbers in a format which is easy to understand, but difficult to
calculate with. The examples below show some numbers stored
in BCD format and in ordinary binary (internal computer format).
in Binary
0000 0001
0000 1001
0000 1010
0001 1001
0110 0011
In the BCD format, the largest number which can be held in one
byte (8 bits) is 99, since each 4 bit "nybble" is treated separately, and
can only hold the decimal digits between and 9 inclusive. In
binary, the maximum is 255 since the two nybbles are joined
together and each can hold a number up to 15. That is enough for
BCD, now let's look at the registers in the CIA chip which are used
when dealing with the TOD clock.
In total, there are 16 registers presented externally which are part
of each CIA chip. The only ones which we need to concern our-
selves with when using the TOD clock are registers 8, 9, 10, 11,14
and 15. These are mapped into the C-64 memory at locations in the
range 56320-56335 (DC00-DC0F) for CIA #1 and 56576-56591
(DD00-DD0F) for CIA #2. The address for a particular register is
obtained by adding the register number to the starting address for
the desired CIA chip. The functions of the various registers are
explained below.
8) TOD 10th of seconds:
This register contains the tenths of seconds data for the TOD clock.
It is encoded in BCD, but since the maximum value is 9, this is not
of any concern.
9) TOD seconds:
This register contains the seconds data for the TOD clock. It is
encoded in BCD as well.
10) TOD minutes:
This register contains the minutes data for the TOD clock. It is
encoded in BCD as well.
11) TOD hours:
This register contains the hours data for the TOD clock in a
12-hour format. The high order bit (bit 7) indicates whether the
time is AM or PM. If the high order bit is masked out, the rest of
the register data is just hours encoded in BCD.
14) Control Register A:
The high order bit (bit 7) of this register is used to determine what
frequency base is to be used for timing. We do not really need to do
anything to this bit, since it is set to zero when the system is
powered-up and this means 60 Hz. The construction of a C-64 (in
North America, at least) has a 60 Hz signal applied to the frequency
input pin on the CIA chip.
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 51
15) Control Register B:
The high order bit (bit 7) of this register is used to interpret any
data written into the TOD registers (8-11). If this bit is zero (as it is
when the system is powered up), it means write to the current time.
If this bit is one, it means write to the alarm time.
You may have noticed that bit 7 of register 1 5 allows you to write to
the alarm time. The CIA chip will keep an alarm time and gener-
ate an interrupt when that time is reached. Handling this interrupt
is beyond the scope of this article and requires the use of register
13, the Interrupt Control Register in order to allow the interrupt
to occur and to handle it when it does occur.
In order to use this TOD clock in your programs, you need to be
able to take a time value entered via the keyboard, put that value
into the TOD clock, and then read and display that TOD clock
value whenever you need it. Program 'B' is a subroutine which can
be called to get the time data from the keyboard and put it into the
TOD clock. Program 'C 1 is a subroutine which can be called to read
the time data from the TOD clock and write it to the screen. Both of
these can be incorporated into your programs without too much
modification.
There are a few tricks to using the TOD clock. In order to set the
time, the following sequence of operations must be performed in
exactly this order:
1) Write to the hours register (11)
2) Write to the minutes register(lO)
3) Write to the seconds register (9)
4) Write to the lOths of seconds register (8)
The write to the hours register stops the CIA chip from updating
the TOD clock, and the write to the IOths of seconds register starts
the CIA chip updating the TOD clock again. This guarantees that
the seconds or minutes don't roll over and change your hour data
after you entered it and thus the time starts exactly where you want
it to.
In order to read the time, the following sequence of operations
must be performed in exactly this order:
1) Read the hours register (11)
2) Read the minutes register (10)
3) Read the seconds register (9)
4) Read the IOths of seconds register (8)
The read of the hours register freezes the TOD clock, and the read
of the IOths of seconds register un-freezes it. During the freeze, the
CIA chip is still updating the values, but the registers presented to
the outside world (that's us) are not allowed to change. This guaran-
tees that you get a consistent set of time data, not some data before
the hour rolled over and some afterwards. It is possible to read any
register except the hours by itself, but if you read the hours, you
must then read the IOths of seconds in order to un-freeze the
registers.
Hopefully, this description and the accompanying programs will
prove useful to you when trying to keep accurate time with your
C-64 while doing I/O. If nothing else, this should help make you
aware of the many features hidden away inside your computer just
waiting to be discovered!
continued on next page
The key to the system —
simple but sophisticated
The problem with many computer sytems is that
they can be too complex, too confusing and too
cumbersome. So, when we started to design this
system, we decided it wouldn't fall into any of
these traps.
• Once your records are set-up, the power of the com-
puter can be used to manipulate them at the press of a
single key.
• You can store, standard letters together with selected
information. This letter may be sent to one, all or
selected people — you choose.
• The file can be manipulated by a SEARCH feature which
sorts out selected records according to your
requirements.
• The CHANGE KEY feature allows a data file to be
re arranged (sorted) to a different sequence on any
field.
• If you can handle a manual index-card file, then you
can handle this computer system.
Distributed by:
705 Progress Avenue, vUnir 17
Scarborough, Onrario M1H 2X1
(416) 431-3200
page 52 TPUG magazine
100 REM PROGRAM 'FT
110 REM TITLE RND INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
120 PRINT ,, 3 ,, TREa3>"KEEPING TIME": PRINT
130 PRINT TAB a 3)" PROGRAM 'R'": PRINT: PRINT
140 PRINT "ENTER THE CURRENT TIME IN 'HHMMSS'"
150 PRINT "FORMAT WHERE 'HH' IS HOURS FROM 00-23"
160 PRINT TAB a 3 VMM' IS MINUTES FROM 00-59"
170 PRINT TRBOVAND 'SS' IS SECONDS FROM 00-59"
ISO PRINT: INPUT "ENTER THE TIME:";K*
190 REM SAVE THE INPUT DRTR IN TI*
200 TI*=K*
210 REM DISPLRV THE CURRENT TIME
220 PRINT "3": PRINT: PRINT: PRINT
230 PRINT "CURRENT TIME IS"
240 PRINT: PRINT: PRINT "PRESS ANY KEY TO STOP THE PROGRRM TTI "
250 K*=TI*
260 PRINT TAB'*" 16> "Z]" LEFT**: K$,2>" : "MID*CK*,3,2> " : "RIGHT* <CK*, 2 >
270 GET K$: IF K$="" THEN GOTO 250
100 REM PROGRAM 'B'
110 REM TITLE AND INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
120 PRINT "3"TAB<13> M KEEPING TIME": PRINT
130 PRINT TAB a 3 V PROGRAM 'B' n : PRINT: PRINT
140 PRINT "ENTER THE CURRENT TIME IN 'HHMMSS'"
150 PRINT "FORMRT WHERE 'HH' IS HOURS FROM 00-23"
160 PRINT TAB a 3 VMM' IS MINUTES FROM 00-59"
170 PRINT TAB<9>"RND 'SS' IS SECONDS FROM 0O-59"
1Q0 PRINT: INPUT "ENTER THE TIME:";K$
190 IF LEN<K$!>06 THEN GOTO 310
290 IF INKVAL<LEFT*<»<*,2:>>:»23 OR INKVAL<LEFT$<rK*^2> > ><0 THEN GOTO 310.
210 IF INKVAL<MIQ*<K*^3,2>>>>59 OR INK VflL<MID*<rK$. r 3..2:> > ><0 THEN GOTO 310
220 IF INKVAL<RIGHT*<K*,2>>>>59 OR INKVAL<RIGHT*f K*^2> > ><0 THEN GOTO 310
230 FOR 1=1 TO 6
240 if asc<:mid*<:k*,i,i:>}<48 OR ASC<MID*<K*,I,i:>:»57 THEN GOTO 310
250 NEXT: CIA=56320
260 I=VAL<LEFT*<K* J r2>;)': Z=0 : IF I>11 THEN Z=l : 1 = 1-12
270 POKE CIA+ll.,Z*12S+INTa/10>*16+I-INKI/10>*10
280 I=VAL<MID*<K*,3,2>>: POKE CIfl+10, INKI/10>*16+I-INKI/10>*10
290 I=VRL<:RIGHT*CK*,2>>: POKE CIA+9,INKI/10>*16+I-INKI/10>*10
300 POKE CIA+3,0: GOTO 330
310 PRINT "ffllNVALID DATA ENTERED ! 3"
320 FOR 1=1 TO 2000: NEXT: GOTO 120
330 PRINT: PRINT: PRINT "TIME STORED IN THE CIA TOD REGISTERS"
340 END
100 REM PROGRAM 'C
110 REM DISPLAY THE CURRENT TIME
120 PRINT M 3" ' PRINT: PRINT: PRINT
130 PRINT "CURRENT TIME IS"
140 PRINT: PRINT: PRINT "PRESS ANY KEY TO STOP THE PROGRAM .3D"
150 PRINT "3"TRB<16> ;
160 CIA=56320: I=PEEKCCIR+1 1 •' : Z=a + <<I AND 128>=0> >*12 : 1 = 1 RND 127
170 I=Z+INK 1/16^*10+1- INK 1/16**16: K*=RIGHT${ ,, 0"+RIGHT*CSTR*C I > , 1-<C I>9> > .,2>
130 I=PEEK«::CIA+10:*' : I = INK I/16>#10+I-INTC 1/16**16
190 K*=K*+RIGHT*v "0 n +RIGHT*<:STR*<r I > , 1 -< I>9 > > ..2 >
200 I=PEEK'::CIP+9> : I = INK I/16>*10+I-INK 1/1 6>*16
210 K$=K*+RIGHT*< M n +RIGHT*<STR$<:i\,l-<I>9^2> : I=PEEK<CIA+8>
220 PRINT LEFT*CK*.r2>" : "MID$aO*^3. r 2> " : "RIGHT*^K*.,2> " - "RIGHT$CSTR*< I > ., 1 1
230 GET K£: IF K*="" THEN GOTO 1.50
TPUG magazine page 53
C64
PROVINCIAL
PAYROLL
A complete Canadian Payroll System for Small
Business.
• 50 Employees per disk (1541) •
Calculate and Print Journals • Print
Cheques • Calculate submissions
summary for Revenue Canada •
Accumulates data and prints T-4s • Also
available for 4032 and 8032 Commodore
Computers.
Available from your Commodore Dealer.
Distributed by:
W
ICROCOMPUTER
SOLUTIONS
1262 DON MILLS RD. STE. 4
DON MILLS, ONTARIO M3B 2W7
TEL: (416)447-4811
FAMILY TREE
A dynamic program to control your data on the
Family Tree. Ideal for the Genealogist. Links indi-
viduals together to produce Pedigree Charts, Family
Group Record Forms and Indexes. Easy editing and
sorts.
$49.95 U.S. or $59.95 Cdn.
PET-I-GREE
Recordkeeping system for the Dog Breeder and
Kennel Operator. Individual dog records, breeding
records, show records and pedigree charts can be
produced. Easily altered for other animals.
$99.95 U.S. or $129.95 Cdn.
Other software
at discount prices.
Write for our catalogue of over 100 Software pro-
grams at low discount prices.
GENEALOGY SOFTWARE
519-344-3990
P.O. BOX 1151
PORT HURON, Ml
48061
1046 PARKWOOD AVE
SARNIA, ONTARIO
N7V 3T9
COMSPEC
866 Wilson Ave., Downsview
633-5605
• HARDWARE
• SOFTWARE
• SERVICE
• BOOKS
• ACCESSORIES
^s commodore
Off the Shelf Delivery
THIS MONTHS SPECIALS
WICO "BOSS"
$19.95
WICO "3-WAY"
32.95
WICO "BAT HANDLE-
29.95
EASY SCRIPT
39.00
COMMODORE VIC CARTRIDGES
13.95
COMMODORE C-64 CARTRIDGES
22.95
POWER
59.95
PAL
59.95
TOOLBOX
109.95
BOX OF 10 DISKS WITH THIS AD
19.95
10% Discount to
TPUG Members
ON SOFTWARE, BOOKS AND ACCESSORIES.
(not INCLUDING sale items)
Mail orders subject to shipping and handling fees.
TPUG Library
Available For Copy
Ontario residents add 7% Retail Sales Tax.
CO
0)
*
Dufferin St.
Wilson
Ave.
Hwy. 401
MasterCard
page 54 TPUG magazine
C-64 THERMOSTAT
This article describes a hardware project for those of you who are
already past the beginner's stage in hardware building.
John Vanderkooy
Waterloo, ON
These are the times to save energy and, to promote this end, my
son and I (he's the real programmer) decided to use our C-64
computer to act as a high-level controller for the furnace. (This
summer we'll work on the air conditioner). The beauty of a com-
puter is its programmability, allowing temperature variation to
give comfort in the home with the best energy savings. For families
with a fixed schedule, the temperature can be programmed well in
advance, and to aid the non-programmers (who vastly outnumber
us) an idiot-proof menu can be designed, using the keyboard. All
the foregoing, of course, is simply an attempt to justify the exis-
tence of our home computer!!
The Commodore 64 (or VIC 20) lends itself very well to the above
purpose. The temperature can be measured by using an appropri-
ate thermistor on the game port paddle input; in fact, four tempera-
tures could be so dealt with. It might be useful to have the outside
as well as the inside temperature, for example, since one could
then integrate the temperature difference to determine the num-
ber of degree-days of heat load for the furnace. If you have a
printer, you can print out all of that and other data to impress your
neighbours. Think of how much money you could save if you
printed out the temperature every few minutes, so that you'd go
through a box of Z-fold paper every fortnight. Seriously, though, I
feel this project is worthwhile. It will save energy, teach some
elementary interfacing techniques and tends to bring out the best
in programming, because the end result really matters.
More on the method of connecting up the computer. I used a 6
kilo-ohm nominal thermistor, mounted just below the normal
thermostat. The unit connects via thin wires and a jack to pins 7
and 9 of control port 1 (for safety, you might put a220-ohm resistor
in series with the connection to pin 7, which is the +5 volt life-
blood supply of the computer). If you make no other modifications,
the value of POTAX found by peeking memory location 54297 will
be very low, quite unsuitable for accurate temperature determination.
It is desirable to have a PEEK(54297) value of about 200. That
allows variation up to 255 (the maximum which occurs for low
resistance; thermistor warm) and downward variations (which rep-
resent a cooler thermistor). The C-64 and VIC 20 have 1000 pf
timing capacitors on the game ports, so that 470 kilo-ohms repre-
sents (nominally) a full scale reading of 255 (see C-64 Programmer's
Reference Guide, p. 472). To use my 6k thermistor, I paralleled the
internal capacitor with a 43 nanofarad polystyrene unit, connected
to the same jack to pins 8 and 9 of control port 1. Figure 1 shows the
connections to the game port. Almost any type of capacitor will do
(except an electrolytic), but it should not be sensitive to humidity
variations, since this would falsify the temperature reading. For
my computer, I chose not to use an interrupt routine to read
POTAX {C-64 Programmer's Reference Guide, p. 346), since this
might compromise the real-time clock accuracy. Those with a C-64
link will have to place it at $c000 for proper clock operation. The
C-64 uses an analog switch (U28, a 4066) under control from the
keyboard scanning CIA (Ul, a 6526). For a game, this would be a
serious limitation, but for thermostatic control, the keyboard sees
very occasional action, unless you make it work under interrupt
control while you play your games! The VIC 20 doesn't have this
problem; maybe some unused VIC 20's will end upas thermostats!
To prevent any contention, I wired a shorting switch across the
4066, but it doesn't really make any significant difference. In
reading the thermistor "temperature", there is a slight variation in
PEEK(54297), but by averaging 100 of these values this allows an
increase in the relative accuracy with which the temperature can
be determined. Our setup achieves a resolution better than 1/10
Celsius degree. Calibration is easily performed by using an accu-
rate mercury-in-glass thermometer to measure the readings at,
say, 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, and assuming a linear interpolation.
Now the other half of the problem; how to turn the furnace on and
off? I contemplated this for some time and came up with a scheme
that affords some protection from computer foibles or power failures.
Figure 2 shows how a small 12 volt relay can be controlled from the
user port. My relay pulls in nicely with anything over about 8
volts, so the 9 volt ac at the user port can be rectified and smoothed
to provide an adequate supply. The relay can be driven by a single
NPN transistor, which has base drive from the MSB bit of the user
port. The program can easily set this bit to output via the DDR,
and these steps are incorporated in the program which is given
later. The base resistors are chosen so that the relay is normally off
even when the user port is not active as an output. Almost any NPN
transistor will do. The diode across the relay coil prevents the
large spike which accompanies the turnoff of an inductive relay
coil. Connections to the 24 volt ac control system of a normal
thermostat should not be made with very thin wire; there is a
substantial current required to properly operate the gas valve or
relay on an oil furnace. This summer we got a central air conditioner,
so I had an extra thermostat at my disposal. Figure 2 also shows how
the two thermostats are used to advantage in a heating situation.
Thermostat A sets an upper limit temperature which cannot be
exceeded by any computer directive, since it shunts the control
relay R. If the house temperature lies between the two setpoint
limits, the computer can turn the furnace on and off with the relay.
In my setup, A is set to about 21 Celsius and B to 14 Celsius. Our
daytime computer controlling temperature is set to 20 degrees
Celsius, and at night or when we're away, it is near 15 degrees
Celsius. Any lower and the plants complain of numbness. This
deployment of the two thermostats gives safety, flexibility and a
reasonable default situation. If only one thermostat is available, I
would use it like B (with A shorted), since this gives protection
against freezing when the youngsters in the house forget about the
computer's prime directive and turn to JUMPMAN instead. Pur-
chase of a second thermostat would be nicer and certainly much
cheaper than a clock thermostat. Electric heating thermostats cost
about $15.00. Before the computer control, I had used the two
thermostats as in figure 2, with a timer switching the relay for night
game port 1
THERMISTOR
(6K nominal 20° )
\l# 2 # 3* 4 # B # )
Y % 7 f 8 f *>y J
fig. 1
43nF
continued overleaf
TPUG magazine page 55
setback, using the normally closed contacts, so that A can be set to
the normal temperature during those times (or left there). The
control program can readily be modified to use either relay sense
or polarity.
An important point concerns the operation of the temperature-
regulating algorithm. My program models the action of a normal
thermostat. When it switches on or off, the motion of the mercury
blobs causes a hysteresis so that switching it again requires a
considerable change in temperature, perhaps as much as 1 or 2
degrees. This makes the action decisive but would create large
temperature excursions if unchecked and result in a very low
cycling rate, due to the large thermal inertia of the house. To
combat this effect, a small heating coil is incorporated near the
bimetallic temperature sensing spiral, which is activated by the
current in the control line. This heater anticipates the rise in
temperature and acts to decrease the cycling time. The combined
effect of the two mechanisms produces a more constant cycling
interval, in which the on-off duty cycle regulates the temperature.
My programs incorporate hysteresis (about 1 degree) and antici-
pation, the latter by allowing the hysteresis to decay exponentially
with a time constant of around four minutes. It's really nice to have
a computer at this point; almost any variation in the algorithm can
be easily tried. I have been told that 6 cycles per hour is ideal for a
gas furnace, 3 for oil; that is easily arranged. In fact, it would be
fairly simple to make the controller have a fixed cycle rate; one
simply establishes a repetitive triangular waveform with an equiva-
lent amplitude of, say, 1 degree, and uses a somewhat modified
method to create modulation of the on-off duty cycle. The regula-
tion tolerance and cycle time are related, but at least we have a
number of interesting control possibilities. In our programming,
we tend to make step changes in the temperature (for example, in
the morning), but the internal computer "set-point" could be smoothly
altered. Who knows what marvellous dreams might be conjured
up by a once per hour sinusoidal temperature variation during the
night!
The regulating program given below is liberally interspersed with
REMarks. This short program gives just a regulating algorithm
with no frills. A longer program is available from the author by
sending him a self-addressed envelope with postage paid. In that
program, the menu portion is one view of how programmability
can be handled. BASIC is plenty fast enough for the control, and
many embellishments are allowable. If the computer is turned off,
or there is a power interruption, all control will be lost, of course.
This is not serious if you have wired up two thermostats as described
earlier. An ambitious possibility is to prepare an auto-start eprom
at location $8000 which has a small routine to transfer the BASIC
program (also in the eprom) to start at $0800, and enter the appro-
priate commands into the keyboard buffer to restart the control,
bypassing the menu. Naturally, the time will be lost, so some
nominal set-point must be chosen, for later updating by the dis-
gruntled homeowner. I would be happy to hear about anyone's
experiences with software "Thermostatgraphy", but I wish to empha-
size that anyone's ill consequences encountered are not my
responsibility: you are on your own!
Already I am giving thought to how I can control our air condi-
tioner this summer, in such a way that humidity and the outside
temperature are included in some "comfort algorithm". One could
even include a cadmium-selenide photocell on the game port to
incorporate action based on the solar heat input!
The programs tend to end up with a lot of variables. I recommend
that you try a simple regulation version first, then adorn it with
your own personality. We have a longer version to calculate the
duty cycle and use the whole screen to display the recent furnace
behaviour. One could even use a graphic display. Keep the wiring
to the thermostat and furnace reliable; the rest of the family will
not be amused if there's trouble while you're away. Perhaps a
simple defeat switch would be advisable. TPUG
hi-limit
thermostat
10
*-D*
DIODES
1N914
-•
12 VOLT
RELAY
11
A^
PB0
-/-"\.
lOOy^F
Z25V
IK
-WW-
GND
USER PORT
CONNECTIONS
510JTL
TO
1
21°C
r
— — \
NO V
XV
,NC
A
NPN
15°C
LO-LIMIT
THERMOSTAT
B>,100
B
-S
,
YACJE ^
fig. 2
page 56 TPUG magazine
Learn to use the real power of your C-64 computer!! DISK FILES let you handle lots of data.
. . . FAST.
Whatever you have in mind . . . Mailing Lists, Recipes, Book Titles & Authors, Personnel,
Accounts, Inventory, etc, etc, YOU NEED FILES!!
The FILE DISK is a menu driven suite of programs that enables you to start using files at
once. You can choose your own file names, and your own label' for each type of item you
want to include in any file.
FILE DISK programs are EASY TO USE . . . Routines are WRITTEN IN BASIC ... you can list
them and see how they work. You will soon want to use these routines in your own
programs.
FILE DISK #1 Creates, Opens and Closes sequential files for you. It will let you write to a
new file, or add (append) to an existing file . . . and enable you to read your files to the
computer screen or your printer.
FILE DISK #2 Lets you create RELATIVE files . . . FAST . . . EASY!! Almost INSTANT ACCESS
to any record. Hundreds of records in one file— Up to 20 fields in each record — Access
records by #or by 'key' field — Create — Write — Find — Read —Change — Delete or Print
any record.
— Can't remember the record number?? Use the 'KEY' field!!
-Can't find it by KEY ??? Then SCAN the file . . . Fast Scan/Slow Scan!!
— Set your own file size and field names. Create a data base. . . EASY. . . FRIENDLY!!!
If you are not yet an experienced user, then don't be baffled by commands that are hard to remember . . . Don't get
involved in 'super-software' that you don't need. . .
GET FILE DISK #1, for SEQUENTIAL FILES, -or- GET FILE DISK #2, and USE RELATIVE FILES!!
FILE DISK programs are Menu Driven . . . and include TUTOR (or HELP) screens to assist you. Also includes
complete printed instructions.
FRIENDLY SOFTWARE, 55 Ellerslie Ave, Suite #1117, Willowdale, Ontario, M2N 1X9
Send Cheque or Money Order, or use MASTERCARD. (Include Card # & Expiry Date)
FILE DISK #1 only $12.95 — FILE DISK #2 only $19.95 - BOTH for only $29.95
(Ont. Residents please add 7% Sales Tax)
DATA BASE
FILES!
EASY
FAST
MENU-DRIVEN
GET YOURS!
ORDER NOW!
J
SUPERPET OWNERS RESERVE YOUR OS-9
V
TPUG will implement the popular 6809 operating system
"OS/9" on the SuperPET. OS/9 greatly expands software
availability and the hardware capabilities of this computer
while at the same time preserving access to the Waterloo
languages and programs.
The cost of OS/9 to club members will be around $ I 50
(U.S.), which will include the cost of a hardware modifica-
tion that will not affect the normal operation of the Super-
PET. Two board SuperPETs require a simple hardware
modification — we provide instructions. To reserve your
copy please mail $68.09 to TPUG. (1912A Avenue Rd.,
Suite 1 , Toronto Ont, M5M 4A1 , Canada). In the unlikely
event that TPUG does not proceed with OS/9, your deposit
will be refunded.
What does OS/9 offer?
* A true operating system with UNIX features and the
simplicity and command style of Commodore BASIC;
* Multi-tasking and multi-user environment;
* Multi-level directories similar to those available in
MS DOS 2.O.;
* Time and date stamp for all directory entries (files);
* File access privileges may be restricted by the owner of
a file.
Extensive software is available for OS/9 most of which will
run on the SuperPET.
The OS/9 package includes an assembler, editor, com-
mand (shell) library monitor, symbolic debugger
Available Languages (compilers) include BASIC-09, Pas-
cal, CIS-COBOL, C Language. . . and others.
Available Application Programs: Word processors, busi-
ness, inventory and accounting applications.
Public Domain: Software, relational database and spread-
sheets, extensive public domain software and documentation
TPUG will acquire public domain software and assist users
in the conversion of commercial software to Commodore
format.
Portability and Expandability
* SuperPET OS/9 programs will run on all OS/9-based
microcomputers.
* OS/9 will run hard disks and parallel drives.
* There will be source code compatibility to versions of
OS/9 that are planned for the Motorola 68000.
For information call TPUG Inc. (416)782-8900
(416)782-9252
For Technical Information
Gerry Gold (416) 667-31 59 / 225-8760
Avy Moise (416) 667-3954 / 667-9898
Limited number of copies will be available.
TPUG magazine page 5/
compu-simple simon
PERIPHERALS
Gemini 10X $378.88
Epson RX-80 494.88
Tymac "The Connection" 149.99
Turbo Print Interface 99.99
Wico Boss Joystick 18.88
Wico Power Brip Joystick 28.88
Wico 3 Way Deluxe 33.99
Power Pad (Graphic Tablet) 78.88
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE
General Ledger (Timeworks) $74.99
Paperclip (Batteries Incl.) 84.99
Superbase 64 99.99
COMPUTE! Books
Mapping the 64 $19.99
Machine Language for Beginners 19.99
Second Book of the 64 1 8.99
EPYX
Pitstop II $41.99
Impossible Mission 36.99
Breakdance 36.99
World's Greatest Baseball 36.99
BRODERBUND
Championship Lode Runner $35.99
. . . Hint Book for above 10.99
Raid on Bungeling Bay 31 .99
Castles of Dr. Creep 31 .99
PARKER BROTHERS
Mrs. Do's Castle $42.99
James Bond Agent 007 54.99
Popeye 54.99
Star War: The Arcade Game 54.99
Montezuma's Revenge 42.99
OTHERS
Archon II (Elect. Arts) $48.99
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein 34.99
Sorcerer (Infocom) 49.99
INFOCOM Hint Books 10.00 ea.
TO ORDER
Send certified check or money order along with $3.25 to
cover postage and handling (Quebec residents add 9% sales
tax) to COMPU-SIMPLE SIMON, P.O. Box 583, SNOWDON,
Montreal, H3X 3T7
JOIN OUR SOFTWARE AND PERIPHERAL DISCOUNTCLUB AND SAVE UPTO 70% ON OUR REGULAR LOW LOW PRICES.
COST TWENTY DOLLARS FOR TWO YEARS. OUR NEW 1985 V2.0 CATALOGUE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR $1.00.
REFUNDABLE ON FIRST ORDER. COMSPEC
What is the
ULTIMATE TEST of
TRIVIAL KNOWLEDGE?
6400 questions.
3 levels of difficulty for 1-8 players.
Count down clock and Sound & Graphics.
6 different categories.
For the Commodore 64 ®
"The Game designed to Flex the Mind!"
CXJIZARD 6400"
^~ Send $37.95 (Can.)'
Pedlar Discount
84 Jarvis Street, Fort Erie, Ontario, L2A 2S6
Terms of Payment: cheque; money order; Master Charge or VISA.
Ontario Residents please add 7% Provincial Sales Tax.
Commodore 64 is a trademark of Commodore Business Machines Inc.
Dealer Inquiries Invited
Taking Farming Into The Future
The Farm Accountant
- double entry bookkeeping
Farm inventory and Filer
- inventory control and database management combined
in one easy to use package.
Farm Financial Analysis
- analyze your financial records to maximize farm profits.
Farm Management software for Apple II or Commodore 64
computers.
DIGIPRC
907 River Street East
Prince Albert, Sask. S6V 0B3
(306)764-1707
page 58 TPUG magazine
THE NEW SYS
Robert Rockefeller
Langton, ON
When the software engineers at Commodore were designing the
C-64 computer, they did not program a new BASIC language for it.
Instead, they used BASIC 2.0, which had been written for the
second generation of the PET computers. This version of BASIC
contained several "bugs", most of which have been corrected on
the C-64.
Besides the corrections made, several improvements were made as
well. One of the BASIC commands which was improved was the
SYS command. It is now possible to pre-load the processor regis-
ters from BASIC for use by a machine language routine called by
SYS. This increases the power of SYS immensely, and especially
gives the BASIC programmer easy access to his computer's ROM
(read-only memory) routines.
SYS used to work this way: first the number after SYS was con-
verted to binary and stored as a two-byte integer on page zero, in
location 20. This number of course is the start of your routine in
memory. An indirect jump was then made to the location repre-
sented by this number and the machine language program was
executed until the RTS (return from subroutine) instruction was
encountered, at which time control of the 6502 CPU was returned
to the BASIC interpreter. SYS still works in this manner with this
exception; the Accumulator, the X-Index register, the Y-Index
register and the Status register are loaded with the contents of four
memory locations on page three before the called machine code
routine is executed. Also, the contents of the registers are repro-
duced in these locations after RTS is executed in the called routine.
The relevant memory locations are:
$030c 780 -Storage for 6502 Accumulator
$030d 781 —Storage for X-Index Register
$030e 782 -Storage for Y-Index Register
$030f 783 —Storage for Processor Status
To illustrate the ability of the "new and improved" SYS command
to control ROM routines I have written a short BASIC program
which uses four of the Kernal (VIC operating system) routines to
save any portion of memory to disk or any portion of memory
below 32K to cassette. The four routines used are SETLFS, SETNAM,
SAVE and CLOSE. You should have no trouble learning to use
your ROM routines if you study the program. Of course, it is
necessary to understand the signifigance of each routine before it
can be used. The C-64 Programmer's Reference Guide contains a
section explaining most of the operating system routines. This is a
good place to start.
To sum up then, the procedure for passing parameters to a ROM
routine or any machine language routine is this; POKE the value
you wish the processor registers to contain on entry to the machine
code routine to the requisite memory locations listed above, then
SYS to the routine. That's all there is to it. Happy SYS'ing. TPUC
19 PRINTCHR*a47>SPC<:3V , HIT RETURN AFTER"SPCC;7 VEACH ENTRV. "
29 A=780:X=781 :V=782
30 REM
40 REM SET LOGICAL.. FIRST & SECONDRRV ADDRESSES
50 REM
60 PRINT:PRINT"DO VOU WISH TO SAVE TO" :PRINT" CASSETTE., OR" :PRINT" DISK": INPUT DEVIC*
70 IFLEFT.t'.':DEVIC*^i::» = ,, C"THENDEVIC=l
80 IFLEFT*CDEVIC*^i: , ' = "D l, THEN DEVICES
90 IFLEFT-SCDEVIC*.. 1 X'-CORLEFT^DEVIC*, 1 >>"D"THEN60
109 PRINT:PRINT"UHAT TVPE SAVE" :PRIMT"0. RELOCATABLE" :PRINT" 1 . NON-RELOCATABLE"
HOI NPUTSAV* : SAV= I NT < VAL < SflV* > > : I FSflV<SORSflV> 1 THEN 1 00
120 POKEA.. 1 :P0KEX.,DE:P0KEV.,SA:SVS65466:REM SETLFS
130 REM
140 REM SET PROGRAM NAME
150 REM
160 PRINT: PR I NT "ENTER START,. END.. NAME"
179 INPUTSR$..EN$..NA$:SR=INT<;VALc;SR$:>:> :EN=INT<: VAL<TEN*> y
180 F0R.T=lT0LENc:NAME*>:P0KE511+.T,ASCc:MID*avlAME^^_T^l>> :NEXTJ
190 POKER, LENC NAME* > :POKEX,0 :P0KEV,2 :SVS65469 :REM SETNAM
200 REM
210 REM SAVE PROGRAM
220 REM
230 SR-SR/256 : P0KE252 , I NT < SR > : P0KE25 1 ., < SR- 1 NT <. SR > > *25S : POKEA , 25 1
240 EN=EN/25S:P0KEV,INT«::EN} rPOKEX.. <EN-INT<EN> >*256 : :SVS65496 :REM SAVE
250 END
TPUG magazine page 59
...Games. ..Games. ..Games. ..Games. ..Games. ..Games
Wizard
Malcolm O'Brien
Toronto, ON
WIZARD For The C-64
From: Progressive Peripherals, 2186 South Holly,
Suite #2, Denver CO 80222 USA (303) 759-5713.
SS9.95
Go out and buy this game right now! This
is my favourite! I've spent a zillion hours
with it and still haven't seen it all! There
are forty screens and if that's not enough,
the WIZARD Construction Set allows you to
create your own screens. You can put up to
one hundred screens on a disk! And when
that disk is full, start another!
Now that I've expressed my exuberance,
I'll describe the game. WIZARD is a climb-
ing game, basically, but this can scarcely
convey the richness of the game. There is
such a wide range of possibilities (including
user-created ones), you are certain to be
enchanted.
The magicians behind all this are named
Steven Luedders and S.A. Moore. Both are
High Adepts of the Ancient Mystical Order
of Programmers and have infiltrated an
organization called Progressive Peripher-
als and Software which markets their arcane
creation.
Let me set the stage for you. You have to
guide Wilfred the Wizard through these
innumerable screens. You collect treasures
and avoid the "bad guys". Most importantly,
get the key! Once you have the key, take it
to the keyhole. At this point, the wizard
turns into a wisp of smoke and goes through
the keyhole to the next level. The first
screen is called "Playground" because noth-
ing chases you. You can roam around at
will and discover what you can do and
what kind of things will happen. These are
numerous, but I'll give you an idea.
You can climb ropes, ladders and stairs.
But be careful — ropes can move or disap-
pear or become invisible; ladders do the
same. Stairs may smooth out to become
slides and all manner of things can be waiting
for you at the bottom! You can jump and
duck — and when the Phantom Archer is.
shooting at you, you'll be glad you can
jump and duck! You can ride the elevators
up or down or be teleported by entering
magic portals. And you can cast spells!
Here's a tip: the quicker you get the key
and go through the keyhole, the higher
your bonus points. This is easier said than
done and becomes increasingly difficult as
you move up the levels. I had to play the
level called "Rock 'n Roll" many times before
I figured out how to stay alive, let alone
advance to the next level. It was quite a
while before I figured out what to do on
"Totally Tubular" and I rarely survive
"Great Balls of Fire".
Whew! Sound tough? If you think so, cre-
ate an easy version. The High Adepts have
seen to it that you may use their enchant-
ment as you will to create your own ethe-
real worlds. But beware — many a wizard
has fallen. And I do mean fallen.
Whenever you lose a wizard he falls down
to the bottom of the screen, complete with a
circle of stars rotating above his head. But
an interesting thing happens: his wizard's
hat falls off first. It usually comes to rest on
a higher level, but the wizard always falls
all the way down. This is an amusing addi-
tion to what is already superb animation.
The sound is equally superb. It's more like
the soundtrack from a cartoon than the
sound effects of a computer game.
Wilfred the Wizard is one of the most lov-
able and charming characters I've ever seen
in a computer game. You're certain to feel
very sympathetic when his hat falls off and
he tumbles down to the bottom of the screen.
He's part of the reason why this game has a
compelling playability.
As if all this wasn't enough, there's more.
Progressive Peripherals and Software intend
to have the WIZARD Expansion Set avail-
able in the Fall of this year. The Expansion
Set will feature a new Construction Set pro-
gram with expanded advanced features,
the top twenty levels sent in from current
users of the program (the competition will
end Sept. 30, 1984), and twenty other all-
new levels!
We're talking serious gaming here! A few
more points should be noted: one to six
players, four difficulty levels plus Custo-
mized and Mystery (random screens) for a
total of six game options, ten selectable
play speeds (including too fast!), top scores
are saved to disk, fast-running demo and
11 pages (8 J 2 by 11) of excellent documen-
tation.
There's only one thing to do. Go out and
buy this game right now! And hold onto
your hat! TPUG
Trivia
George Shirinian
Toronto, ON
TRIVIA. For Commodore VIC-20and64. Cym-
bal Software. VIC 20 disk $39.95, C-64 disk S49.95.
"Welcome to the wonderful world of TRI-
VIA, where facts from all walks of space
and time converge in a medley of mind-
boggling questions." It is surprising that
someone has not come out with a computer
version of the game that swept the country
last Christmas season before now. TRIVIA
is not a direct copy of the popular board
game but is a highly entertaining quiz pro-
gram in its own right.
The game contains 1600 questions in the
C-64 version, 1000 for the VIC 20, and is
available, in good Canadian tradition, in
both English and French. It does not uti-
lize the familiar game board of the "manual"
version, and has a different logic to the
play. When beginning a game you can select
a "think-time" of 10, 15 or 20 seconds and a
game length of 50, 100 or 150 points. Differ-
ent questions have different points. There
can be from I to 6 players.
The questions are presented on a colourful
screen, but there is no particular graphic
display. There are sound effects for correct
and incorrect answers, but, again, these are
unremarkable. The real excitement in this
game is to come up with the right answers
to the questions and type them in correctly,
while watching the seconds fly by on the
screen's timer.
One feature I liked is that questions are
randomized, so that no two games play the
same. This is essential in a program that
will be played over and over. Secondly, I
was quite impressed to discover the pro-
gram gives partial points to a close answer,
giving poor spellers or typists some en-
couragement. The questions are drawn from
both American and Canadian experience
and are interesting, challenging and fair.
Topics range from TV and movies to sports,
history, etc.
The first person to reach the game score
wins. Statistics are displayed at the end of
the game and reveal some very interesting
facts. The person with the highest percent-
age of correct answers does not necessarily
win the game. The variable points for the
questions can help a weaker player win, if
he or she gets enough of the higher ones.
This makes the game more exciting and
fun all around, as everyone has a real chance
to win. TPUG
page 60 TPUG magazine
3. .. Games. ..Games. ..Games. ..Games... Games. ..Game
Creature
Creator
Rich Westerman
St. Anne, IL
CREATURE CREATOR From Designware.
S39.95.
System Requirements: Commodore 64, Disk
Drive
Classification: Education (ages 4 to 8)
CREATURECREATOR is a "gentle" intro-
duction to programming — but the pro-
gram's layout and operation would lead
you to believe that it is a game. It has hi-res
graphics, animation and sound effects, but
these are used to disguise a tutorial on
elementary programming structure.
CREATURECREATOR is all menu-driven,
and the introductory screens and activities
are all controlled by only two keys, making
it easily accessible to the new computer
user.
Here's how it works: I'm sure you've heard
of the "Identi-kits" used by police depart-
ments to reconstruct faces from witnesses'
descriptions. CREATURECREATOR is an
identi-kit for creating monsters. Using only
two keys, and prompted by simple ques-
tions and commands, you can create a com-
posite cartoon-like character. Combining
heads, bodies, arms and legs from seven
selections in each body area, dozens of com-
binations are possible. When you have con-
structed a creepy critter on the screen, you
can then make it "dance" by commanding
it to wave, hop, stomp, grab, turn its head
or even roar. The DANCE portion of CREA-
TURE CREATOR even allows you to com-
bine a series of those commands into a
program.
Sooner or later, a child will press the key
which says GAME and CREATURE CRE-
ATOR will begin doing its intended job of
teaching the rudiments of programming
logic. The GAME board shows two mon-
sters side-by-side on the screen. At the bot-
tom of the screen is a grid of boxes. The
monster on the left is the computer's and
the one on the right is yours. The com-
puter will make its monster go through a
set of "dancing" motions and it's your job
to give your creature the correct commands
which will make it duplicate the motions of
the other creature. The grid at the bottom
of the screen records your commands and
are easily edited should you make errors.
Multiple difficulty levels are available in
the GAME portion of CREATURE CRE-
ATOR, allowing a measure of additional
challenge.
CREATURE CREATOR is an engaging,
colorful and well-designed educational
program. It is perhaps overpriced in the
wake of new arrivals of low-priced educa-
tional software for the Commodore 64.
CREATURE CREATOR also suffers from
too much copy-protection. It is sometimes
necessary to re-load the program two or
three times before it will run correctly, and
the wear and tear on the drive (caused by
this protection method) is an annoying fac-
tor. TPUG
Kids On Keys
Rich Westerman
St. Anne, IL
KIDS ON KEYS From Spinnaker. $34.95. Disk
For Commodore 64. Recommended for ages
3-7.
Perhaps the largest obstacle to overcome
when convincing kids to move from joy-
stick wiggling to keyboard usage is that,
until you're familiar with the keyboard,
you can't manipulate the computer with
the speed and facility that you're used to
with the joystick. It's hunt and peck — and,
to most kids, that's just no fun.
There is a growing body of software appear-
ing for the C-64 which attempts to tackle
this problem. I'm referring to the "keyboard
familiarity" programs, and KIDS ON KEYS
is Spinnaker's entry into this market. KIDS
ON KEYS is nothing less than a typing
tutor for young children. It offers the child
three separate arcade-style games, which-
are played using the keyboard. Game One
requires the player to type the letter that
slowly falls from the top of the screen. If
the proper key is tapped before the letter
reaches the bottom, the letter explodes and
then appears at the top of the screen as a
"trophy". This continues until fifteen let-
ters have been "popped". You then get to
play a bonus round. A child in a balloon
slowly falls towards the bottom of the screen,
festive music plays, the child in the balloon
waves and the balloon again takes to the
sky. Success in the bonus round will prompt
the computer to ask the child if he wants to
go to the next level of difficulty or go back
to the main menu.
Games Two and Three require the player
to identify different objects on the screen
within a time limit, the duration of which
is determined by the difficulty level.
It was in Games Two and Three that I
found a serious problem in my copy of the
software. KIDS ON KEYS contains files of
objects that the main program loads. These
files contain the graphic routines that cre-
ate the objects the child has to identify.
The authors of KIDS ON KEYS wisely real-
ized that if the program is played often by
the same children, the challenge of typing
the names of the objects will disappear.
Thus, an option to create and name new
objects and then SAVE them to a separate
disk was provided. The program gave me
easy-to-understand prompts for the format-
ting of the data disk, and the joystick-driven
drawing routine worked fine. When I tried
to SAVE my new file of objects to the data
disk, however, nothing happened. Try as I
might, I couldn't get any new files SAVEd.
If the "MAKE PICTURES" option was never
used in KIDS ON KEYS, the program would
be quite impressive. The graphics are bright
and colorful and the music and sound effects
(while not as sophisticated as other offer-
ings by Spinnaker) are adequate. The
program can be run quite easily by kids of
the recommended age group (what with all
the prompts and excellent error-trapping,
it seems to be crash-proof). Too bad my
copy couldn't live up to its own manual's
promises. TPUG
TPUG magazine page 61
ks.. . books... books... books.. .books...books... books.
COMMODORE 64 COLOR GRAPHICS: A Beginner's Guide
John Moore
Windsor, ON
As a Commodore Computer owner and
user for over three years now, I've always
been curious and fascinated by the use of
graphics. I played around with my 'old'
PET character set, creating little pictures
and then making them move around the
screen in a variety of ways, and adding
little graphic rewards in the educational
programs with which I dabbled. One thing
that encouraged me to trade in the PET for
the new Commodore 64 was its unique
graphic capabilities. High-res pictures and
Sprites were a real novelty for me.
Adding colour and new twists to my old
PET graphics has been fun, and playing
with the Koala Pad and other high-res pack-
ages has been a real blast. But doing high-
res pictures on my own has seemed to be
more difficult than I could manage. At least,
it was, until a friend introduced me to
COMMODORE 64 COLOR GRAPHICS:
A Beginner's Guide. This easy-to-follow,
step-by-step guide shows you how to create
your own detailed pictures while provid-
ing you with a "toolkit" of subroutines to
accomplish this task. Ever bought a "be-
ginners guide" that any idiot should under-
stand, only to be blown away in the first
chapter and left wondering how come you're
so dumb? This will not happen with COM-
MODORE 64 COLOR GRAPHICS: A Be-
ginner's Guide.
The Introduction in Chapter 1 assumes
nothing. It starts by suggesting you turn
your equipment "on" and tells you where
to find the switch. It gives a few BASIC
tips, a chart on Commodore Colors- on
what keys to find them, and some tips about
the program listings found in the book. It
tells how to key them in, how to RUN them,
SAVE and VERIFY, what to do if prob-
lems occur, and all those things that so
many "beginners guides" assume you al-
ready know. So far, so good: even this 'idiot 1
could understand!
The next four chapters take you one small
step at a time through the processes of turn-
ing on the high-res screen, setting colours,
locating and plotting points, drawing lines,
painting shapes and everything else neces-
sary to create a detailed picture. The book
provides the data needed to draw the pic-
ture that appears on the inside front page
of the book. Every chapter also provides
exercises that encourage the reader to experi-
ment and create other designs and shapes.
Every subroutine is explained in detail. It
tells you what is happening, why it is hap-
pening and gives additional examples of
what each routine is used for. All this in
plain English!
The final chapter covers Sprites and Sprite
movement. In the same plain English, and
with the same attention to detail, the mys-
teries of Sprite creation, colour and move-
ment are explained.
Again, several other examples are provided
and the reader is encouraged to experi-
ment with other designs.
Altogether I think COMMODORE 64
COLOR GRAPHICS: A Beginner's Guide
does a very thorough job of explaining and
teaching high-res graphics in a manner that
any novice can really understand. But that's
not the end of the story — or of the book
either!
The Postscript provides very good ideas
for additional uses for the program, along
with more Sprites, including the data to
make them. This opens up another whole
new area of experimentation. Appendix A
is a programmer's trouble-shooting guide.
It includes several preventive measures, as
well as common cures for problems you
might encounter. Appendix B provides a
complete listing of all the subroutines in
the 'toolkit'. Appendix C gives the listings
of several additional 'tools', such as draw-
ing and painting rectangles, polygons and
circles, along with the usual complete expla-
nation of what's happening and why.
The very important and useful Appendix
D shows how you can speed up the subrou-
tines with the use of machine language.
The one thing that is most disturbing about
high-res in BASIC is that it is so slow. Appen-
dix D begins to solve this problem by replac-
ing six of the most common routines with
machine language equivalents, which are
read in from BASIC. A brief explanation is
followed by the six program listings. The
little extra time spent keying in these extra
listings is more than made up by the in-
creased speed of the drawing routines.
The last few pages of the book include charts
and graphs of screen locations, colour,
Sprites and a toolkit reference guide. I'm
sure I've more than got my $16.95 worth
out of my tattered copy TPUG W
COMMODORE 64 COLOR GRAPHICS:
A Beginner's Guide
By: Shaffer & Shaffer Applied Research &
Development
Publisher: The Book Company
Defending The Galaxy ^f
Lorien Gabel
Toronto, ON
Defending The Galaxy is a book that covers
almost all areas of the video gamer's world.
It purports to be "the first complete guide
to the entire world of The Games".
When you first flip through this book you
are barraged by a number of assorted top-
ics relating in some way to the video game
world. Some of the topics presented are
sections on how to tell the games apart, a
list of different enemies that you will even-
tually be facing, tips for survival in such
games as Tron, Stargate, Turbo etc., and a
chapter on the evolution of the video games.
Included is a very interesting list of all the
video games ever released and a short expla-
nation about each (153 in all). There is also
a guide to the most popular video game
places in the U.S., state by state. Sadly,
there is nothing in this section that includes
Canada.
Also included is a list of the high scores for
the most popular games, set at that time.
Most of these have been broken by now but
it is still helpful in that you can gauge your
own scores by it.
The major deficiency (if you take Defending
The Galaxy seriously as a guide to video
gaming) is that it is outdated. It was released
in late 1982 and doesn't have a thing on the
new and very popular video disk games.
Therefore, the hints about such games as
Turbo, Space Invaders and Zaxxon are not
very helpful. However, this doesn't pose a
serious problem since much of this book
refers to the video world in general.
I found that the book was not very satisfy-
ing in really teaching you anything about
video games, but it is doubtful whether or
not it is really trying to do so. Most of the
book approaches video gaming from a
humourous angle: e.g. Video Virgins,
jamming, packing, and such aspects. Real-
ising that his book will not teach you much
in the way of serious gaming, the author
has graciously added a list of books that do
teach you how to play.
In conclusion, Defending The Galaxy is a
good book if you are looking for something
that is generally informative, entertaining
and somewhat far from the serious side of
video gaming. If you are looking for a book
on how to master the games, you should
look elsewhere. TPUG
DEFENDING THE GALAXY from Triad Pub-
lishing Co. by Michael Rubin. $4.95 (U. S.)
page 62 TPUG magazine
For the Commodore 64 with
super graphics and great
sound effects
Master the skill and self-control needed to play winning
blackjack. Learn the most effective yet the simplest
"card counting" system, which is used by the world's
most successful international blackjack players. You can
simulate the rules of the best casinos around the world
where you ought to be playing and winning. Play one
hand against the dealer and leam the basic strategy
using the "card count" system, or play up to seven
hands and see how well you can play under real casino
conditions.
Included is a separate 38K program that will let you play
blackjack with up to seven different players.
While you are playing one hand, the computer works out
the card count, your % chance of going bust, each card's
chance of being drawn, the basic strategy, keeps track of all
your bets and prints a running summary of your game.
Comes complete with the book
Beat The Dealer by Edward O. Thorpe.
Dealer Enquiries Welcome.
VIC-20 SOFTWARE
BOOKS
JOYSTICKS
Krazy Kong
$14.95
Exterminator
$14.95
Miner 2049er(K)
$44.95
Lode Runner(K)
$49.95
IFR (Flight Simulator) (K)
$49.95
MD001 Snakman
$19.95
CS013 Astroblitz(K)
$49.95
CS016 Apple Panic(K)
$49.95
CS017Choplifter(K)
$49.95
CS018 Black Hole(K)
$49.95
ORM004 Crossfire
$29.95
HESC307Shamus(K)
$49.95
Introduction to Basic I
$49.95
Introduction to Basic II
$49.95
Frantic
$19.95
Wacky Waiters
$19.95
* Requires 3K exp. (K) cartridge
COMMODORE 64 SOFTWARE
Simon's BASIC $99.95
Impossible Mission $49.95
1541 Disk Aligner $29.95
International Soccer $49.95
World's Greatest Baseball $49.95
Musicalcl $52.95
Triad (disk and tape) $19.95
Quazar (disk and tape) $1 9.95
Sysres64 $79.95
Superbase 64 (Database) $129.95
Power 64 $69.95
Pal 64 $69.95
Blue Max (disk) $42.95
Grand Master Chess (disk and tape) $39.95
Fort Apocalypse (disk) $42.95
Survivor (disk) $42.95
Jumpman (disk) $49.95
Jumpman Junior (cart.) $54.95
Shamus(disk) $42.95
Lode Runner (disk) $49.95
Personality Analyzer (disk) $29.95
Mapping the VIC $19.95
Anatomy of the 1 541 $24.95
Anatomy of the Commodore 64 $24.95
Commodore 64 Exposed $19.95
Sprite Graphics for C-64 $20.95
Machine Language for Beginners $20.95
64 Sound and Graphics $18.95
PET Basic $19.95
VIC 20 Prog. Reference Guide $19.95
Elementary Commodore 64 $18.95
C64 Prog. Reference Guide $27.95
VIC Revealed $18.95
VIC Graphics $18.95
VIC Games $18.95
Compute's 2nd book of PET/CBM $19.95
COMPUTER SUPPLIES
C1 Cassette Tapes $ 1 .00 ea.
C20 Cassette Tapes $ 1 .25 ea.
Cassette Boxes .25 ea.
Verbatim Disks M0525-01 $39.90/10
Memorex Disks 013481 $33.90/10
Nashua Disks SS/DD $29.90/10
K10 Disk Storage Box $5.95
Flip Sort Storage Box $39.95
PET/CBM SOFTWARE
POWER
8040-80 col. 4.0 sys
4040 — 40 col. 4.0 sys
$119.95
WICO Bathandle
WICO Power Grip
WICO Track Ball
WICO Red Ball
Commodore Joystick
$34.95
$34.95
$69.95
$37.95
$9.95
* All Joysticks will fit VIC 20 or Commodore 64 computers
RIBBONS
8023 $14.95
1525 $12.95
MX-80, 4022 $12.95
1526,4023 $14.95
Spirit 80 $14.95
2022 $ 4.95
Tally MT160 $19.95
Ribbons for other makes available.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Cheque, Money Order, VISA, Master Card accepted.
Ontario residents add 7% sales tax. Add 5% for shipping
(minimum charge $2.00).
NOTE: All Prices In Canadian Funds.
■'! !■■! iCB&i
ELcCROniO 2001 LTD.
5529 Yonge Street, Willowdale, Ontario M2N 5S3
Tel: (416) 223-8400
TPUG magazine page 63
product parade. ..product parade. ..product pa
This is the third issue of TPUG Magazine which includes Product
Parade — our regular feature presenting new, as well as not so new,
software and hardware available on the market. As we depend on
the information sent to TPUG by manufacturers and distributors,
it is not always possible to strike the right balance between software
and hardware products described in the feature. This month's
Product Parade, for example, includes mostly software products.
But we do have a lot of interesting new product announcements,
both hardware and software, for the November issue. This is to
inspire you with some Christmas gift ideas. Remember, however,
that Product Parade, does not review products, but simply provides
information.
*****************************
Memory expander for the Commodore 64 from LETCO
LETCO (Leader Electronic Technology Company), the pioneer of
the popular 64K memory expander for the VIC 20, has developed
a 64K byte memory expander for the C-64. It plugs directly into the
C-64 expansion port and provides eight separate 8K blocks of
paged memory. Each page is selected by a single POKE instruction.
Those users who already have the 64K memory expander for the
VIC 20 need to purchase the adapter only to use their 64K memory
expander on the Commodore 64.
The adapter (Model 64KVA) is priced at $29.95 U.S. The memory
(Model 64KV) for use on the VIC 20, is priced at $109.95 U.S. The
combination (Model 64KC) for use on the C-64, is priced at $139.95
U.S. All products are available directly from Leader Electronic
Technology Company LETCO, 7310 Wells Rd., Plain City, OH
43064.
Xref HELPER from (M)agreeable software, inc.
Xref HELPER prints a cross-reference listing to help the user find
where a particular value came from in his Commodore 64 BASIC
program.
Xref HELPER scans the program on diskette for all occurances of
variables, constants, GOTOs, and GOSUBs. As it scans it inserts
each name, and the number of the line on which it occurred, into a
list. Xref HELPER orders this list alphabetically or numerically
within each group. It also orders the variables by type; for example,
integer or string. When Xref HELPER has completed the scan of
the program, it sends the ordered list to the printer.
Written in KMMM Pascal, Xref HELPER scans small programs in
a few seconds, medium programs in one to five minutes, and large
program in five to ten minutes.
Xref HELPER is available from (M (agreeable software, inc., 5925
Magnolia Drive Plymouth MN 55442, (612) 559-1108 for $25.00
U.S. plus $1.25 U.S. shipping. Canadian residents may pay $32.40
Cdn. plus $1.60 Cdn shipping.
ZOOM Pascal 64 from Abacus Software
ZOOM Pascal 64 for C-64 owners offers the programming conve-
nience of structured high-level language. Data types include float-
ing point reals, integers, strings and scalars. The ZOOM Pascal 64
allows also accessing conventional text files whether on disk or
tape.
The ZOOM Pascal 64 package consists of:
* EDITOR — to create, save and modify Pascal source language
statements
* COMPILER — to translate the Pascal source language statements
into intermediate code
* TRANSLATOR — to translate the intermediate code into actual
6502 machine language
* Comprehensive user's manual
* Sample programs to show how to get the most from ZOOM Pascal
64.
ZOOM Pascal 64 comes on diskette only for $39.95 U.S. Available
from the local dealer or directly from ABACUS Software, P.O.
Box 7211, Grand Rapids, MI 49510, (616) 241-5510
TINY FORTH from Abacus Software
TINY FORTH is a high-level language to run on Commodore 64
or VIC 20 (with 8K expander). TINY FORTH comes with well over
200 words in its vocabulary. But it is extensible — the user can add
his own words to this built-in vocabulary. TINY FORTH includes
also a full-screen editor for creating new "screens' 1 that can be
saved to disk or tape.
The 45-page manual which comes with the TINY FORTH intro-
duces the user to the FORTH language.
The price for TINY FORTH on cassette (for both C-64 and VIC
20)is $19.95 U.S. The version on diskette (for both C-64 and VIC 20)
costs $22.95 U.S. Available from the local dealer or directly from
ABACUS Software, P.O. Box 7211 Grand Rapids, MI 49510,
(616)241-5510
page 64 TPUG magazine
ict parade. ..product parade.. .product parade..
Graphics Designer 64 from Abacus Software
Graphics Designer 64 for Commodore 64 allows designing hi-res or
lo-res graphics. It can be used for architectural design, engineer-
ing graphics, graphic arts, artistic expression, and more.
The Graphics Designer 64 Editor lets the user interactively create
his picture. The Editor is completely menu driven. No program-
ming is necessary. The user can edit a picture from the keyboard or
with joystick or a suitable light pen. Finished pictures can be saved
to diskette. The Slide Show feature makes it possible to combine
ready pictures for later display. The user can also obtain hardcopy
of his hi-res screen on the following printers: VC-1515, 1525E,
Epson or Gemini printer.
Graphics Designer 64 (on diskette only) costs $34.95 U.S. Available
from the local dealer or directly from ABACUS Software, P.O.
Box 7211 Grand Rapids, MI 49510, (616) 241-5510
DISKOVERY distributed by Micron Distributing
DISKOVERY programs promote learning through exciting and
challenging game formats.
DISKOVERY has four programs available for children aged 3 to
8 — Alphabet Factory and Match-up (reading ski lis programs); and
Adding Machine and Take Away Zoo (mathematical skills programs).
For children aged 6 to 12, The Word Bird and Time Zone are
helpful in developing vocabulary, word order, sentence meaning
and reading skills.
All of the programs are available for the Commodore 64 and retail
for $29.95. Look for the DISKOVERY educational programs at
local computer stores or contact Micron Distributing, 409 Queen
Street West, Toronto ON M5V 2A5 (416) 593-9862 (Toll Free Order
Desk 1 (800) 268-9052).
GRAPH-TERM 64 from Bennett Software Company
GRAPH-TERM 64 for the Commodore 64 is a graphics terminal
emulator program which prints text and high-resolution plots
generated by a mainframe computer. It is thus of particular inter-
est to scientists and engineers who use standard graphics programs
generating plot files in Tektronix format.
Because it is written totally in machine language, GRAPH-TERM
64 not only can display high-resolution graphs as they are transmitted
but can download the plot files and replay them up to 20 times
faster. It can also produce hard copies of the plots on the Commo-
dore 1520 plotter.
GRAPH-TERM 64 comes with a number of simple BASIC pro-
grams for saving and loading plot files and for illustrating the use
of machine language subroutines in it.
In summary, GRAPH-TERM allows the user to:
* view Tektronix format plots generated by a mainframe computer
* download text or plot files
* generate plot files on the Commodore 64
* preview plots on the high resolution screen
* create hard copies of the plots on the Commodore 1520 Plotter.
GRAPH-TERM 64 may be ordered from Bennett Software Company,
3465 Yellowstone Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. The price is
$49.95 + 4.00 shipping and handling (U.S. funds).
SPELL NOW from Access Software Incorporated
SPELL NOW an educational program for the C-64 by Todd Witzel,
is designed to help children improve their spelling ability. The
program, endorsed by educators, allows children to improve the
spelling words that are giving them the most trouble. Up to fifty
words can be entered onto a spelling list.
Kids choose from three game options: "See It, Spell It", "Quiz Me"
and "Hangman". Each game is uniquely designed to make spelling
an enjoyable task.
SPELL NOW is available from Access Software, 925 East 900 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 for the price of $34.95 U.S.
Melodian Keyboard, Melodian Concert Master, Melodian MelodyMaster
and Melodian RhythmMaster from Melodian Inc.
Melodian Inc. introduced a musical keyboard for the Commodore
64 and three software packages to teach reading and performing
music.
The 37-key, 3-octave keyboard is similar in appearance to a porta-
ble electric organ. It operates by plugging into a Commodore 64,
using the microcomputer's synthesizer to reproduce 16 instrumen-
tal sounds.
The Melodian ConcertMaster, Melodian MelodyMaster and Melodian
RhythmMaster feature entertaining and educational software which
can be used either with the Melodian keyboard or separately.
The Melodian ConcertMaster combines the capabilities of a music
synthesizer, recording studio and video display. Anyone can play
the Melodian ConcertMaster immediately. No previous knowledge
of music is necessary.
The Melodian MelodyMaster teaches music and pitch. After making
a selections from a set of prerecorded or computer generated
music, the player tries to reproduce the melody, note for note. As
each note is played, it is displayed on the screen in color, indicating
whether it is right or wrong. The computer shows the mistakes,
guiding the user's performance until every note is correct.
The Melodian RhythmMaster is similar in concept to the Melodian
MelodyMaster. It helps to develop perfect timing through the use of
color coded video displayed notes.
The Melodian keyboard with the Melodian ConcertMaster retails for
$200.00 U.S. The price for the Melodian software disks is $39.95
U.S. each.
For the nearest dealer contact: Melodian Inc., 115 Broadway —Suite
1202, New York, NY 10006, (212) 406-5163.
********
TPUG magazine page 65
*** mfiRKCTPLRGE.
This space
could be
advertising
YOUR
product
CLEAROUT SPECIALS
For C-64
QBopper $15.00
For VIC 20
Krazy Kong $9.95
Galactic Blitz $9.95
Sidewinder $9.95
3-D Man $9.95
Electronics 2001
5529 Yonge St., Willowdale, ON
M2N5S3 (416) 223-8400
For a good time. . .
call the
cJjradley £/*Jrolners
cJuullelin cJjoard Qjysiem
c/o David and Richard Bradley,
147 Roe Avenue,
Toronto, Ont.,
M5M 2H8
Only $10.00 per year.
(All cheques should be payable to David
Messages Bradley) Programs
(416)487-5833 (416)481-9047
(416)481-8661 (416)272-0709
Star Trek Version II is now available.
Over thirty new features and improve-
ments with more machine code and
colour graphics.
Send $4.00 to join mailing list and news-
letter. Version III is now under way and
will only be available to members.
Write:
Ufland Software
c/o Dave Neale
Box 1324, Meaford,
ON NOH 1Y0 (519) 538 1758
* COMAL *
programming manual
by
BORGE CHRISTENSEN
see page 11
M for details . . . >^
Advertiser s Index
Page
Academy Software 21
Batteries Included OBC
Beacon Software Inc 52
Besco Products 39,43
Bradley Brothers Bulletin Board System 66
B & R Enterprises Inc 34,38,43
Canadian Software Source 44
Cardinal Software 48
Comal Handbook (TPUG) 11
Comal Users Group U.S.A., Limited 34
Comspec Communications Inc 13,54
Compu-Simple Simon 58
Copp Clark Pitman Ltd 25
Digipac 58
Electronics 2001 63,66
ENG Manufacturing 34
Excel Typewriters Ltd 44
Fidelity Electronics 6
Friendly Software 57
Genealogy Software 54
G.R.Q 12
Handic 68
Hunter Nichols Inc IBC
King Microware 6,32
Kyan Software 44
Mannesiuann Tally 67
Micol Systems 29
Micro Systems Development 17
Microcomputer Solutions 54
Milne's Computer Control Systems 18
Nova Computer Systems 40
OS/9 (TPUG) 57
Precision Software 2
Programmer Guild Products Ltd 18
Progressive Peripherals and Software 49
Pro-Line Software IFC
Salt and Pepper 58
Silicom Software Inc 30
Software Lab 30,30
Thunderware Software 43
TPUG Membership 10
Transactor 16
Ufland Software 66
Watcom Products 21
Watcom Seminars 23
Wycor Business Systems 34
* classified *
This space is limited to TPUG member wanted or for sale
items only.
Space cost is 25 cents per word. NO DEALER ADS ACCEPTED
FOR SALE: 8032, 4040, 4022P, Wordpro, Waterloo Basic,
manuals, monitor and utility ROMS. $2200.00 (519) 886-0155.
A UTILE SPIRIT
CAN GIVE YOU
EXTRAORDINARY
PRINTING POWER
1
SIX
Jniomths
J8BS*
Spirit's the microprinter that lets you do more things
yourself. And do each of them letter perfect.
It prints standard, bold, expanded and condensed type
faces. Even italics. And finely etched graphics. All because
t jh a <^^ ^^" every impression has a crisp, square edge to it for unmistakable
m ^~J^m That's the power to look perfect in print.
And a power that operates almost without sound. The
Quietpak option smothers printer noise. So Spirit rushes through work with barely a whisper.
There's also the power to manage paper. Variable width tractors adjust for narrow jobs like
labels. Or wider jobs like correspondence. All of which are handed to you immediately thanks to
Spirit's Quick Tear edge.
When you can have your own personal microprinter
that does so much for so little, aren't you powerless not
to act?
For more information, and a dealer in your area
contact: Mannesman Tally Corporation, 703 Petrolia Rd.,
Downsview, Ontario M3J 2N6 416-661-9783
Telex: 06 522 873
* Manufacturer's suggested retail price with parallel interface.
MANNESMANN
TALLY
"THERE'S NO NEED TO HOLD A
MOUSE OR LAY A FINGER ON A CRT
SCREEN. SAY THE COMMAND AND
HOW TO ORDER
CHIRPEEWILL DO THE REST."
Chicago Tribune
June 6, 1984
To order your Chirpee Computer Voice Command Module,
simply fill our form below and return with cashier's check,
money order or use your credit card. Please specify type of
computer. Postage paid by manufacturer on shipments from
destinations within the continental U.S. Full 90-day parts and
labor factory warranty. Allow two weeks for delivery.
Now anyone can use a
computer! Now
everyone will
use their
computer
more!
Chirpee is a trademark of ENG Manufacturing, Inc.
ORDER NOW!
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
ENG Manufacturing, Inc.
4304 W. Saturn Way
Chandler, AZ 85224
(602) 431-0400
(In U.S.) 1-800-431-3331
_Chirpee(s) Computer Name.
ORDER FORM
Yes, I would like to order
Command Voice Module(s) at $179.95 each for the following
computer(s):
□ Commodore 64 (01-101) □ Atari (01-102)
□ Apple(01-103) D IBM PC (01-104)
□ I have enclosed a Cashier's Check or Money Order in the
amount of $
D Mastercard DVisa □ American Express D Diner's Card
NO. EXP. DATE
SIGNATURE
-State Zip_
ENG Manufacturing, Inc.
4304 W. Saturn Way
Chandler, AZ 85224
(602) 431-0400
(In U.S.) 1-800-431-3331
INTRODUCING—
*M
r PAL 64 ^
The Fastest and easiest to use f
K^ assembler for the Commodore 64.
Pal 64 enables the user to perform
assembly language programming using the
standard MOS mnemonics. $69,95
yLPOWER 64
y j Is an absolutely indispensible aid to
^*m the programmer using Commodore
64 BASIC, Power 64 turbo -charges
resident BASIC with dozens of new super
useful commands like MERGE. UNDO.
TEST and DISK as well as all the old
standby* such as RENUM and SEARCH &
REPLACE. Includes MorePower 64. $69.95
A/TOOL BOX 64
, V N C Is the ultimate programmer's utility
fr* package, Includes Pal 64 assembler
and Power 64 BASIC soup-up kit all
together in one fully integrated and
economical package, $129.95
A-rSPELLPRO 64
j Msan easy to use spelling checker
/^^ with a standard dictionary expandable
to 25.000 words. SpellPro 64 quickly
adapts itseif to your personal vocabulary
and business jargon allowing you to add and
delete words to/ from the dictionary, edit
documents to correct unrecognized words
and output lists of unrecognized words to
printer or screen. SpellPro 64 was designed
to work with the WordPro Series *and
other wordprocessing programs using the
WordPro file format. $69.95
NOW SHIPPING!!!
For Your Nearest Dealer
Call
(416) 273-6350
t Commodore 64 and Commodore are trademarks of
Commodore Bwinca Machines Inc.
* Presently marketed by Professional Software Inc
Specifications subject lo change without notice
A— WPM
y f This brand new offering from th_
/^A o r ig inators of t he Word Pro S e r ies '
brmgs professional wordprocessing to the
Commodore 64 for the first time. Two
years under development, WP64 features
100% proportional printing capability as
well as 40/80 column display, automatic
word wrap, two column printing* alternate
paging for headers & footers, four way
scrolling, extra text area and a brand new
'OOPS* buffer that magically brings back
text deleted in error. All you ever dreamed
of »n a word processor program, WP64
sets a new high standard for the software
industry to meet. $69,95
A-,MAILPR0 64
^ 7 A new generation of data
^^A organizer and list manager* MatfPro
64 is the easiest of all to learn and use.
Handles up to 4 .000 records on one disk,
prints multiple labels across, does minor
text editing ie: setting up invoices. Best of
all, MailPro 64 resides entirely within
memory so you don't have to constantly
juggte disks like you must with other data
base managers for the Commodore 64.
$69.95
PROLINE
■MHIII80FTWARE
(416)273-6350
7SS Th* QUEENSWAY EAST. UNIT 8.
MISSISSAUGA. ONTARIO. CANADA. L4Y ACS
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, TORONTO
NOVEMBER 29 & 30, DECEMBER 1 & 2 , 1984
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■a
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
IIIIIIIIIIIimilGIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIBIIlll
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I
■ ■■•■■■■■■»■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■(■■■■■■■■■BIABB
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIII
Illllllllllllllflllllllllllllllllll
■ ■I lllllllllllllllll ■ ■■■ ■
■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■I !■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
»■*■■■■■■■■■■■*■■*■■■■■»*■■■•* «■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■a
■■■■»■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ VMH ■■■■■■
■■■»■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■«■*
■■■■■■■■■■■(■■■■■■■■■■■•■■■■(■■■A ■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■»■«■■
■ ■■»■•■■■■■■■■««■■■■»■■«■ IIBI11I «■■■■■■«
■■■■■■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
■ ■■■■*■■»■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■••■■!■*■■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I ■ ■■■■■■■■■BVIfl »■■■■■■■■■■
■ iniiiiiiaii
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■a
flllll«ltK ■■■■■II1IIIBIHII
■■■linifliiiiiiiniwiiiiiiiiiiii ill
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■lllllllllllllllllllll
HilliiiitiiiiiiiiBia iiiiiiflinii
iimiimimiiiiiiiiiil
liliiiiiveiiiHiimi miBiiiiiailii
■ ■■■II Illlllll -BBBBHBI
lllliiiiiiiiiafisi^ mill
■■■■Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■»»»■■■■
^ ■■•■■■■■■! ^■■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■IIIIBIIB ^^_^_
^^V^H ■ ■■■■■■■■*■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■«■■■■■■»■ ^H^^
The world oF
commodore
^ TT
* he Company that had the
foresight and imagination
-M- to desien and build more
he Company that had the
foresight and imagination
to design and build more
computers for home, business and educa-
tion than any other will be presenting
the most farsighted and imaginative show
to date with exhibitors from around
the World.
The 1983 Canadian World of Commodore
Show was the largest and best attended
show in Commodore International's
history. Larger than any other
Commodore show in the World
and this year's show will be
even larger-
World of Commodore II is designed
specifically to appeal to the interests
and needs of present and potential
Commodore owners.
Come and explore the World of
Commodore.
world of- „
commodore n
A HUNTER NICHOLS PRESENTATION,
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (4l6) 439-4140
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11